”Att ge de germanska språken och deras litteratur en bestående form” – Amalia von Helvig som översättare

The biography of the German writer and translator Amalie von Helvig, née Imhoff (1776–1831), was profoundly influenced by mobility, as well as by political and cultural changes. Helvig serves as a compelling case study for exploring the significance of gender and nationality, along with the role of network connections in the work and impact of women writers around 1800. Additionally, she stands out as a notable female translator of Swedish literature. The themes of nationality and a distinct “Nordic” culture and aesthetic were particularly highlighted in Helvig’s works published after her two visits to Sweden \(1806–1810 and 1814–1816). Acting as a “cultural transmitter” (Petra Broomans) between Germany and Sweden, Helvig played an active role in the reciprocal processes of nation-building. This article investigates Helvig’s engagement in literary translation by analyzing her translations of Erik Gustaf Geijer’s poem “Den siste skalden” and Esaias Tegnér’s epic poem Frithiofs saga . It also examines her correspondence with writers and publishers, where she articulates her thoughts on the practices, functions, and objectives of translation. By linking her translations to her own literary works, this study seeks to challenge the prevailing academic perception of Helvig’s endeavors as mere amateurish “play” (Brennecke 1975, 83).