Books I have translated or copy-edited
Working across a range of disciplines, I’ve translated seven books—five from Dutch and two from French—and copy-edited four.
Translations from Dutch
Dangerous Drugs: the Self-Presentation of the Merchant-Poet Jan Six van Chandelier (1620–1695)
by Ronny Spaans
Amsterdam University Press, 2020
“I am most grateful to the translator of this book, Ciarán Ó Faoláin, not
only for producing a fine translation, but also for the many helpful comments
and suggestions for improvement he offered along the way.”
– From the acknowledgements
Political Science and the Changing Face of Dutch Politics
[Published with the title to the right here]
Edited volume
Amsterdam University Press, 2017
“Politics is about conflict, struggle, decision-making, power and influence. But not every conflict and not every situation in which power is exercised is widely regarded as politics. A football coach who decides to leave a player on the bench
because he has given him a bit of lip is exerting power, and there is conflict
here, too.”
– From the translated introduction
Retail Marketing
by Frank Quix
Noordhoff, 2020
“Frank is really pleased with your translation.”
– Correspondence from the author’s office
Battle over the Rivers: Two Hundred Years of River Policy in the Netherlands
by Alex Heezik
Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, 2008
RoboWok
A novel by Bas van Kesteren
Forthcoming in 2023
“Ciarán has transformed my initial effort in Dutch into a really fine read in English. The text is replete with idiomatic expressions and turns of phrase that give it a really natural feel.
I also really liked Ciarán’s way of working: he was really invested in the text, even to the point of coming up with suggestions here and there on one and another detail in the storyline or on dialog between the characters.
I can’t recommend Ciarán highly enough, and should I ever get around to writing another book, I will be getting in touch with him right away.”
– Bas van Kesteren
Translations from French
The Three Regional Human Rights Courts in Context: Justice That Could Not Be Taken for Granted
by Laurence Burgorgue-Larsen, Professeur de droit public à l’Ecole de droit de la Sorbonne (Paris 1)
Forthcoming from Oxford University Press, April 2024
“It is a beautiful rendition: the English closely reflects the intention of the original, even as it renders its necessarily specialised discourse in an idiom appropriate to its new audiences. For his rigorous efforts and his dedication to the task at hand during our work together, I would like to extend to Ciarán my sincerest and most heartfelt thanks.”
– Laurence Burgorgue-Larsen
Spaces of Communication: Introduction to Semio-Pragmatics
by Roger Odin
Commissioned by Presses Universitaires de Grenoble
Published by Amsterdam University Press, 2022
“I appreciate the fact that [Ciarán]…asks me and himself questions, and that he has presented the translation in two modes: a facing-page version and the English on its own. That helps a lot.”
– Correspondence from the author to the publisher
Books I have copy-edited
Benjamin and Adorno on Art and Criticism
by Thijs Lijster
Amsterdam University Press, 2017
“I thank my publisher, Amsterdam University Press, for the meticulous reviewing and editing process.”
– From the acknowledgements
Gum Arabic: The Golden Tears of the Acacia Tree
by Dorrit van Dalen
Leiden University Press and University of Chicago Press, 2019
“I want to say a final thank you…I am especially grateful for your saving me from humbug and lack of concentration. Other editors could have done the technical thing, but your advice was really what I wanted and very much appreciated again.”
“I do owe you so much. Did you see Kaori O’Connor’s comment, that the book is ‘very well written’?”
– Correspondence from the author
The Internet of Women: Accelerating Cultural Change
Edited volume
River Publishers, 2016
“The Internet of Women provides genuine, serious examples from over 30 countries.”
– From a review by Craig Newmark, Founder of Craigslist
Authenticity? Observations and Artistic Strategies in the Post-Digital Age
Edited volume
Valiz Press, 2017
“The book is out, and we are very happy with it. Also thanks to you!”
– Correspondence from one of the editors
