Erik Ribsskog <eribsskog@gmail.com>
Permission to use En Hustavle translation.
Erik Ribsskog <eribsskog@gmail.com> 30. mars 2022 kl. 13:40
Til: John Hokanson <jdhokanson07@ole.augie.edu>
Kopi: terjedorumsgaard44@gmail.com, tedoe@online.no
Hi,
I’m just waiting for a new freezer to be delivered today, (in a four hour time-slot), so I had a look at it again.
The word ‘hustavle’ is a translation of a German word that Luther invented (it seems): ‘Haustafeln’.
And that translates to: ‘A Household Code’, it seems.
(If that makes any sense).
A bit more modern translation could perhaps be: ‘A Rule Of Life’, (like I’ve seen ‘clever’ home-signs being called online: https://www.amazon.com/Rustic-Wooden-Inspirational-Office-Sayings/dp/B09HCKGLW3/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=Home+Sign+for+Wall+Decor&qid=1648629300&sr=8-11&tag=coa_row-20).
The translation I used on YouTube, (‘A law of living’), was something I found in an online dictonary back then, (around 2010), if I remember right.
So many different head-lines could be used for this poem, I guess.
But since Norwegian is my first-language then I think it’s tricky to choose one of them, (since I’ve never bought a sign like that in an English shop, etc).
So you could perhaps choose a poem-head-line-translation (of the ones I’ve mentioned) that isn’t lost in translation like, over there in America.
Regards,
Erik Ribsskog
———- Forwarded message ———
Fra: Erik Ribsskog <eribsskog@gmail.com>
Date: ons. 30. mar. 2022 kl. 10:14
Subject: Fwd: Permission to use En Hustavle translation.
To: <terjedorumsgaard44@gmail.com>, <tedoe@online.no>
Hi,
sorry if I write many emails.
But the first line could be: ‘A home-sign’ or: ‘A wall-sign’.
(If that makes sense in English/American).
Regards,
Erik Ribsskog
———- Forwarded message ———
Fra: Erik Ribsskog <eribsskog@gmail.com>
Date: ons. 30. mar. 2022 kl. 09:36
Subject: Fwd: Permission to use En Hustavle translation.
To: John Hokanson <jdhokanson07@ole.augie.edu>
Cc: <terjedorumsgaard44@gmail.com>, <tedoe@online.no>
Hi,
I read up a bit now.
(There’s more stuff on the internet now, than 11-12 years ago, when I first tried to translate this poem).
A ‘hustavle’ doesn’t need to be an enbrowery, it seems.
It can also be a sign that one buys in a shop, and hangs on the wall, at home.
So the head-line/first-line could (also) be: ‘A house-rule’, ‘a house-law’, ‘a house-sign’ or ‘a house-board’.
(Something like that).
Regards,
Erik Ribsskog
———- Forwarded message ———
Fra: Erik Ribsskog <eribsskog@gmail.com>
Date: ons. 30. mar. 2022 kl. 07:58
Subject: Re: Permission to use En Hustavle translation.
To: John Hokanson <jdhokanson07@ole.augie.edu>
Cc: <terjedorumsgaard44@gmail.com>, tedoe@online.no <tedoe@online.no>
Hi,
this was some years ago, but I think it must have been from the original poem, (the line you mentioned).
‘Det er en smerte i livet’ would be: ‘It’s a pain in life’ or ‘There’s a pain in life’.
(I guess).
A ‘hustavle’ is a bit kitch to have, (I think).
It’s something common people have, (on their wall), I guess.
Possibly religious/protestant common people.
(Something like that).
I think the writer of the poem must have lost his mother or father recently, when he wrote the poem.
And I think the writer wrote the poem, as a reminder to himself, to go on with his life, even if he was depressed, due to grief, (due to that he missed his mother/father).
(Something like that).
Regards,
Erik Ribsskog
PS.
Terje Dørumsgaard has been translating stuff for NATO, (according to his online CV).
And he perhaps has a ‘hustavle’.
So he perhaps knows what it’s called in English.
ons. 30. mar. 2022 kl. 06:29 skrev John Hokanson <jdhokanson07@ole.augie.edu>:
Thank you so much. I was not expecting to receive an answer so quickly. Just double checking with the first line of the second stanza is that an interpretation of the original poem “Det er en sorg i verden” or the replacement line in the song “Det er en smerter i livet”?
Most translations I find are hardly perfect and are usually rough translations. For example, the English Grieg and Sibelius translations I found are often meant to be sung in the original score so you already lose some of the literal interpretation to make a pleasing, sung English poem.
I was not expecting you to be related to Arne Dørumsgaard. Unfortunately I only read his English Wikipedia page, but he appears to have led a full and varied life way beyond his early talent for composing. I love the song, and I’ll wait for comments from Terje until The first of April before typing out the more literal translation.
John
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Erik Ribsskog
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2022 10:32 PM
To: John Hokanson
Cc: terjedorumsgaard44@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Permission to use En Hustavle translation.
Hi,
that would be ok, I guess.
I’m not that happy with the head-line, (I read the poem again now).
A ‘hustavle’ is a text-embroidery that people used to have, on their lounge-walls, back in the days.
But none of my parents had one, and neither did any of my grandparents.
So the headline (the first line) should possibly be: A Law Of Living (A Text-Embroidery).
(Something like that).
And the fourth-last line should perhaps be: ‘Noone can for the rest of _their_ life’.
This poem was musically arranged by my grandfather’s cousin Arne Dørumsgaard.
I think that was why I had a go at it (like I write on the YouTube-page).
Translating poems isn’t something I usually do, but if you can use it, then that’s ok, I guess.
Regards,
Erik Ribsskog
PS.
I send a copy-mail to Arne Dørumsgaards son Terje (my mothers third-cousin), in case he has any comments.
ons. 30. mar. 2022 kl. 02:55 skrev John Hokanson <jdhokanson07@ole.augie.edu>:
Hello, Erik,
I am from Minnesota and taking part in a Scandinavian songs voice competition. I am singing En Hustavle and really appreciated your translation from a Youtube recording of Tor Inge Sandvold 11 years ago.
Would it be OK if I use your translation for the written program as long as I credit you appropriately?
If not I understand. Otherwise, thank you for sharing the translation. It really helped me further connect to the beautiful poem and music while learning the song!
Sincerely,
John Hokanson
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