A tangled mess—new words from one language to another

What to know

Books create worlds, and with new worlds comes new language Signe Lyng is a literary translator who has translated, among others, Ali Smith, Max Porter, and Kevin Barry into Danish—authors who all work creatively with language and invent entirely new words in their native tongues. So what does a translator do? What do we gain from a word we've never encountered before? Can words even avoid having any meaning at all? And why translate something that is already new? Join us on a journey through the nooks and crannies of language, and discover why one word can't be just as good as another. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and to buy books. The event will take place in Car 1 at Godsbanen. Participation is free, but registration is required. The event is part of the "Bag om Kulturen" cultural festival, where you can, among other things, go behind the scenes of the literary world and meet the people who shape cultural life. Starting September 1, you'll be able to find the full festival program here. - Date: 6 October 2026 - Time: 16:30–18:00 - Venue: Godsbanen - Address: Karen Wegeners Gade 8, Aarhus C, Denmark - Admission: Free