At Pennthorpe, we believe that language learning is more than vocabulary and grammar, it is about unlocking creativity, fostering cultural understanding, and developing critical thinking skills. This ethos was beautifully demonstrated by one of our talented students, Freya, whose work was recognised in the Stephen Spender Schools Laureate Prize, a prestigious competition that celebrates the art of literary translation.
The competition invites students from across the UK, Ireland, and British Schools Overseas to take on a unique challenge: select a poem in any language, translate it into English, and write a commentary explaining their choices. This process demands not only linguistic skill but also sensitivity to tone, rhythm, and meaning, qualities that make translation both an art and a science.
Freya, who was in Year 6 at the time of her entry, chose the French poem “Le Voyage” (The Journey). Her translation captured the essence of the original text while making it accessible and engaging for English readers. Alongside this, her thoughtful commentary demonstrated a deep understanding of the nuances involved in translation, balancing literal meaning with poetic flow.
Freya’s translation went beyond literal meaning—she worked hard to preserve the poem’s musicality:
“The original poem has rhyming words but when I translated it the words didn’t rhyme, so I decided that I wanted to make it rhyme. I had to change a few words like ‘khaki shorts’ to ‘cozzie’ and ‘Australia’ to ‘Aussi’. I also changed ‘electric lamp’ to ‘my friend Erica’ so that it would rhyme with America.”
Her creativity didn’t stop there:
“In the final paragraph I had to add, ‘with my didgeridoo’ onto, ‘I am running away’ to make, ‘I am running away with my didgeridoo’ rhyme with Timbuktu. I used the word didgeridoo because it relates back to the trip to Australia.”
This year, the Stephen Spender Prize introduced an additional set of commendations for students who narrowly missed first place. We are delighted to share that Freya received one of these commendations, a testament to her creativity, perseverance, and passion for languages.
Competitions like this highlight the importance of language education in today’s interconnected world. Translation encourages empathy, cultural awareness, and problem-solving—skills that extend far beyond the classroom. At Pennthorpe, we are proud to nurture these qualities in our students and celebrate achievements that reflect our commitment to holistic learning.
Congratulations, Freya! Your success is an inspiration to us all.
