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Vakoka Vakiteny is about to translate a German novel about the Malagasy street girl Todisoa, written by the author Nasrin Siege who lived for several years in Madagascar. Due to changes in the original manuscript we had a longer break in the translation work from November to February. Now we have begun the process of translation again and we have translated about a quarter of the book already.
This is a very challenging job, especially because the German and Malagasy languages are so totally different. But it is also interesting and exciting, and we are enjoying it very much.
Still we haven’t got means for developing the manuscript or printing the book. We want to do an authentic and approved translation which needs researches and thoroughly corrections, and a good quality print with black and white paintings. We want to sell it subsidized on the marked here in Madagascar and are therefore depending on donations through the association for schools and children’s books.
This is a funny fairytale from Ampanirio, the environment book. It is written by Sarah, 12 years old and translated into English.
The Sifaka and the Babakoto
One day the lemurs Babakoto and Sifaka talked to each other.
Sifaka: Tell me, my friend. Why is your tail so short?
Babakoto: That’s the way I like it, and don’t you know that this is exactly the fashion this season?
Sifaka: Then I will go to the hair dresser and cut mine like yours.
Babakoto: That’s good! Will I see you then in the evening?
Sifaka: It depends. Bye!
In the evening:
Babakoto: Hello Mrs. Sifaka. It is you going to the marked tonight and not Mr. Sifaka?
Mrs Sifaka: He is very ill, Mr. Babakoto!
Babakoto: Ill?
Mrs. Sifaka: You know, this fashion of yours, it is really dangerous. He went to the hairdresser and his tail was cut off together with the hair.
Babakoto: Really? How would he get such an idea? Stupid!
Mrs. Sifaka: Bye, I have to go.
Babakoto: Isn’t Mr. Sifaka’s birthday party tomorrow?
Mrs. Sifaka: Indeed. That’s why I bring all this food now. See you tomorrow.
Next day:
All the lemurs are gathered.
Sifaka: This I want to tell you, my friends. First of all I greet every one of you. Remember this: When God made us Sifaka with a long tail, please don’t try to do something else, even if it’s fashion. Look at me. I wanted to have a tail like Babakoto, and it was cut totally off. So please be satisfied with what is given you!
We have now completed all the texts for the geographic picture book and they are sent out for correction. The layout and processing of photographs is about to finish and we have begun the negotiations with the printing house in Antananarivo.
There are some minor changes from the last information we posted about this book. It will contain 68 and not 52 pages and even more photographs than estimated. The target group will be somewhat older students than first considered – from 11 to 15 years, but it can still be used together with children in primary school. We think that it even might be quite interesting to read for students in upper secondary school and teachers.
In addition to the information about each province: major towns, the nature and environmental problems, mountains, lakes and rivers and occupation of most people (agriculture, industry, etc.), we have included the story of an adolescent living in each province (4 of 6 have now been finished). We also write about special topics like for example eco-tourism and the pirate tales from the east end north.
We have estimated the print of the book to be finished in June.
Page 60 and 61 from the chapter about the northern province Antsiranana.
We have begun the distribution of the book Uncle Tefy. 15 copies are on their way to Germany right now and 455 copies have been distributed to Malagasy children.
We plan to have a public launching of the book in the center of Toliara city next week.
