My dream is to follow the wonderful work of literary translators

During the past decade, I have been in regular contact with a profession for which I have the greatest admiration: literary translators. The foundation of literary Finnish is Mikael Agricola’s translation of the New Testament, and even today translations continue to enrich and enliven our language. By translating and interpreting the best achievements of other cultures and languages, these dwellers of two cultures, living on their ridiculously low fees, create new and renewing Finnish.

My dream is to be able to continue my dialogue with them – seminars, workshops, unofficial brainstorming – for as long as it delights both participants.

By Written by Auli Hakulinen. Edited by Kaija Hartikainen. Translated by Olli Silvennoinen. Revised by Joe McVeigh.

Auli Hakulinen

Auli Talvikki Hakulinen
Born March 10, 1941, Helsinki

BA 1965 (Finno-Ugristics), licentiate 1971 (General Linguistics), University of Helsinki
PhD 1976 (General Linguistics), University of Turku

Assistant Professor of Finnish 1981–1991, Professor 1991–2006, University of Helsinki
Academy Professor 2001–2004
Research assistant in the text linguistics research group at the Academy of Finland 1974–1977, University of Turku
Visiting researcher at MIT, Spring 1973
General linguistics assistant 1968–1971, University of Helsinki
Research assistant in the Sociological Research Unit at London University 1967–1968
Finnish language teacher, University of Indiana, 1963–1964

Publications, research projects and other scientific activities
Research areas: syntax, text linguistics, women’ studies, conversation analysis, language and interaction analysis

Significant awards and special achievements:
Kristiina Prize 1986
Maikki Frieberg Award 2002
Finnish Cultural Foundation Award 2005
E. J. Nyström Prize 2007

Photo: Kuva-siskot
Written by Auli Hakulinen (Kaija Hartikainen, ed.)
Translated by Joe McVeigh