The David Reid Poetry Translation Prize was a prize of 750 euros, awarded twice yearly by Subtext Translation, for an outstanding translation into English of a well-known Dutch poem. Known as the David Reid Poetry Translation Prize, the award commemorated David A.S. Reid (1929–1982), who was an inspiring teacher and a gifted translator.
Twice a year, between the Autumn of 2006 and the Spring of 2011, the title of the poem to be translated was posted on the Subtext Translations website at midday on 1 September and 1 March. The deadline for the translation was always two months later: on 1 November and 1 May respectively. In principle, all the entries were posted on the Subtext Translations website, first the winner and the runner–up, the others in order of arrival. By submitting a translation the translator had agreed to publication in this form. The translator retained the copyright.
The Jury consisted of a changing panel of four people: a literature specialist teaching English at a Dutch university, a professional Dutch–English translator, a published British poet, and a coordinator. They included Bart Westerweel (Leiden University), Hans Bertens (Utrecht University), Maureen Peeck (Utrecht University); Sarah Kinebanian, David McKay as translators; and Donald Gardner, Kate Foley and Paul Evans as poets. Helene Reid was the coordinator throughout. The Jury's decision was final and posted on this website on 1 December and 1 June.
Jury report for the translation of 'Herinnering aan Holland' by H. Marsman
The prize for the first year of the David Reid Poetry Translation Prize goes to Paul Vincent. [...] It stands out for its naturalness and the unbroken flow of its rhythm. He has found unforced solutions for the main difficulties, and a couple of these solutions were very pleasing. Crucially Paul Vincent's version captures the mood of Marsman's poem, the deep affection for his country that is its hallmark. If empathy with the material is a key to a good translation of a poem, this version is a winner.
I am proposing Renée Delhez as the only runner-up. I liked her version for its honesty and its faithfulness to the original. While making a genuine poem in English, she has shown great respect for the detail and pacing of Marsman's text and has captured its rhythm very effectively.
Donald Gardner, October 2006
on behalf of the jury
HERINNERING AAN HOLLAND
Denkend aan Holland
zie ik breede rivieren
traag door oneindig
laagland gaan,
rijen ondenkbaar
ijle populieren
als hooge pluimen
aan den einder staan;
en in de geweldige
ruimte verzonken
de boerderijen
verspreid door het land,
boomgroepen, dorpen
geknotte torens,
kerken en olmen,
in een grootsch verband.
De lucht hangt er laag
en de zon wordt er langzaam
in grijze veelkleurige
dampen gesmoord,
en in alle gewesten
wordt de stem van het water
met zijn eeuwige rampen
gevreesd en gehoord.
MEMORIES OF HOLLAND
Thinking of Holland
I see broad lazy rivers
flowing through infinite
low-lying land,
rows of incredibly
delicate poplars
like plumy feathers
on the horizon, and
sunken and small in this
space so stupendous
the farmhouses
scattered about,
clumps of trees, villages,
squat stumpy towers,
churches and elm trees,
in one grand layout.
The skies hang low
and grey, multicoloured
mists slowly make the
sun disappear,
and in every region
the voice of the water
with its endless disasters
is heard and is feared.