Comments on the translation into French of the short story “Elogio da vaidade” by Machado de Assis (published in 1878)

Abstract

In the short story “Elogio da vaidade”, Machado de Assis proposes an unusual and intriguing scenario in which we find Vanity facing off against Modesty in a debate to win over the public. In the accompanying commentary to this new annotated translation, we present some reflections about the translational choices made in the first French translation of this text in 1878. We also explain, for example, how we introduce the French reader to Machado de Assis by attempting to preserve the author’s style, and we expound certain difficulties encountered over the course of the translation.