Originally from the USA, Ramona Tyler has lived in Germany for nearly 15 years. They have studied Finnish and Norwegian, focusing on linguistics and literature, at the Humboldt University in Berlin. Ramona’s currently writing their master’s thesis on Finnish derivational suffixes.
“I have always been drawn to the Nordic languages. I remember the first time I heard spoken Finnish, with its staccato yet flowing phonology, twisting and turning through a completely alien grammar. I was so intrigued, and immediately wanted to learn more. I’m also a devoted sauna-goer and big Kaurismäki fan.”
Translation is also a long-time interest of Ramona’s.
“It’s an extremely rewarding task, transferring an author’s message in a way that honors the original while reading true to the recipient. I really enjoy working out the small ‘puzzles’ that make up a text. And time flies by when discussing a text passage and its myriad possible interpretations with other translators. Intercultural exchange is a beautiful thing” says Ramona, who has translated the texts for the 2021 AISTIT: coming to our senses exhibition by the four Finnish cultural institutes worldwide, as well as the Finnish Embassy of Germany’s 2024 exhibition in Felleshus Die Sauna: Echt heiß. Echt finnisch.
Ramona has also worked with the Finnland-Institut in Deutschland for the past four years.
Working at FILI is a great way for them to deepen their understanding of the literary industry and its components.
“I am also excited about the opportunity to work with a mentor on my own literary translation this summer.”
