International Dublin Literary Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 15 (2010) Winner
David Colmer
デイヴィッド・コルマー
David Colmer
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1960-01-01 （Adelaide, Australia）
- Nationality
- Australian
- Languages
- English, Dutch (for translation)
- Residence History
- Adelaide, Australia
Career
- Occupations
- translator, writer
- Active Years
- 2003-
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Cundill History Prize (shortlist) | Revolusi (co-translation) | — | Cundill History Prize | shortlisted (co-translation) |
| 2024 | Baillie Gifford Prize (shortlist) | Revolusi (co-translation) | — | Baillie Gifford Prize | shortlisted (co-translation) |
| 2021 | James Brockway Prize | For translations of Dutch-language poetry | — | Nederlands Letterenfonds | winner |
| 2014 | PEN Award for Poetry in Translation (shortlist) | Even Now (selected poems by Hugo Claus, translation) | — | PEN America | shortlisted |
| 2014 | International Dublin Literary Award (shortlist) | The Detour (with Gerbrand Bakker) | — | International Dublin Literary Award | shortlisted (with author) |
| 2013 | Vondel Prize | The Misfortunates (translation of Dimitri Verhulst) | — | Vondel Prize | winner |
| 2013 | Independent Foreign Fiction Prize | The Detour (with Gerbrand Bakker) | — | Independent Foreign Fiction Prize | winner (with author) |
| 2012 | The Dutch Foundation for Literature's Translation Prize | For translations from Dutch | — | Nederlands Letterenfonds | winner |
| 2011 | Popescu Prize (shortlist) | Heavenly Life (selected poems by Ramsey Nasr, translation) | — | Popescu Prize | shortlisted |
| 2010 | International Dublin Literary Award | The Twin (with Gerbrand Bakker) | — | International Dublin Literary Award | winner (with author) |
| 2010 | Best Translated Book Award (shortlist) | The Twin (translation) | — | Best Translated Book Award | shortlisted |
| 2009 | NSW Premier's Translation Prize | For body of translation work | — | New South Wales Government | winner |
| 2009 | PEN Trophy (prize for a body of work) | For body of translation work | — | PEN | winner |
| 2009 | Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize (shortlist) | The Twin (translation) | — | Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize | shortlisted |
| 2007 | David Reid Poetry Translation Prize | Poetry translations (multiple times) | — | David Reid Poetry Translation Prize | winner |
| 2008 | David Reid Poetry Translation Prize | Poetry translations (multiple times) | — | David Reid Poetry Translation Prize | winner |
| 2009 | David Reid Poetry Translation Prize | Poetry translations (multiple times) | — | David Reid Poetry Translation Prize | winner |
| 2011 | David Reid Poetry Translation Prize | Poetry translations (multiple times) | — | David Reid Poetry Translation Prize | winner |
Cundill History Prize (shortlist)
2024
Work:
Revolusi (co-translation)
Organization:
Cundill History Prize
Result:
shortlisted (co-translation)
Baillie Gifford Prize (shortlist)
2024
Work:
Revolusi (co-translation)
Organization:
Baillie Gifford Prize
Result:
shortlisted (co-translation)
James Brockway Prize
2021
Work:
For translations of Dutch-language poetry
Organization:
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Result:
winner
PEN Award for Poetry in Translation (shortlist)
2014
Work:
Even Now (selected poems by Hugo Claus, translation)
Organization:
PEN America
Result:
shortlisted
International Dublin Literary Award (shortlist)
2014
Work:
The Detour (with Gerbrand Bakker)
Organization:
International Dublin Literary Award
Result:
shortlisted (with author)
Vondel Prize
2013
Work:
The Misfortunates (translation of Dimitri Verhulst)
Organization:
Vondel Prize
Result:
winner
Independent Foreign Fiction Prize
2013
Work:
The Detour (with Gerbrand Bakker)
Organization:
Independent Foreign Fiction Prize
Result:
winner (with author)
The Dutch Foundation for Literature's Translation Prize
2012
Work:
For translations from Dutch
Organization:
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Result:
winner
Popescu Prize (shortlist)
2011
Work:
Heavenly Life (selected poems by Ramsey Nasr, translation)
Organization:
Popescu Prize
Result:
shortlisted
International Dublin Literary Award
2010
Work:
The Twin (with Gerbrand Bakker)
Organization:
International Dublin Literary Award
Result:
winner (with author)
Best Translated Book Award (shortlist)
2010
Work:
The Twin (translation)
Organization:
Best Translated Book Award
Result:
shortlisted
NSW Premier's Translation Prize
2009
Work:
For body of translation work
Organization:
New South Wales Government
Result:
winner
PEN Trophy (prize for a body of work)
2009
Work:
For body of translation work
Organization:
PEN
Result:
winner
Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize (shortlist)
2009
Work:
The Twin (translation)
Organization:
Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize
Result:
shortlisted
David Reid Poetry Translation Prize
2007
Work:
Poetry translations (multiple times)
Organization:
David Reid Poetry Translation Prize
Result:
winner
David Reid Poetry Translation Prize
2008
Work:
Poetry translations (multiple times)
Organization:
David Reid Poetry Translation Prize
Result:
winner
David Reid Poetry Translation Prize
2009
Work:
Poetry translations (multiple times)
Organization:
David Reid Poetry Translation Prize
Result:
winner
David Reid Poetry Translation Prize
2011
Work:
Poetry translations (multiple times)
Organization:
David Reid Poetry Translation Prize
Result:
winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Detour
2012 Novel (translation)English translation of Gerbrand Bakker's novel; a story about rural life and personal loss.
isolationlossrural life
The Twin
2008 Novel (translation)Translation of Gerbrand Bakker's acclaimed novel; explores brotherhood and the shadows of the past.
familymemoryrural setting
Even Now (selected poems by Hugo Claus)
2013 Poetry (selected poems, translation)Selected poems by Hugo Claus translated into English, showcasing lyrical range and historical awareness.
memoryhistorypersonal recollection
Heavenly Life (selected poems by Ramsey Nasr)
2010 Poetry (selected poems, translation)Translation of selected poems by Ramsey Nasr, covering personal and political themes.
politicspersonal feelingcultural identity
Problemski Hotel
2005 Novel (translation)Translation of Dimitri Verhulst's novel dealing with immigrants and refugee situations.
migrationsocial issueshuman drama
The Misfortunates
2012 Novel (translation)English translation of Dimitri Verhulst's novel; a family story mixing humor and pathos.
familyhumorpoverty
An Untouched House
2018 Novel (translation)Translation of a work by Willem Frederik Hermans, addressing war and memory.
warmemory
The Complete Jip and Janneke
2023 Children's literature (translation)Complete English translation of Annie M.G. Schmidt's classic children's series Jip and Janneke.
childrenfriendshipeveryday life
Occupied City (Paul van Ostaijen)
2016 Poetry (translation)English translation of Paul van Ostaijen's Bezette stad (Occupied City).
citywarfragmentary expression
Bibliography
- The Twin - Gerbrand Bakker (translation)
- The Detour - Gerbrand Bakker (translation)
- Problemski Hotel - Dimitri Verhulst (translation)
- Even Now - Hugo Claus (selected poems, translation)
- The Complete Jip and Janneke - Annie M.G. Schmidt (translation)
Translations of Works
- Numerous English translations from Dutch
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Prioritises the poetic rhythm of the original with natural English renderingBalances fidelity to source with readability
- Recurring Motifs
- Clarification of imagery in poetryTranslations often of works dealing with rural life and memory
Legacy
David Colmer is internationally recognised as a translator of Dutch-language literature, receiving numerous awards and nominations. He has been praised for his translations of both poetry and fiction and has helped introduce Dutch literature to English-speaking readers.
Trivia
- Won the James Brockway Prize in 2021.
- Co-translation of David Van Reybrouck's Revolusi shortlisted for major prizes in 2024.