1: Text and audio excerpts, the last line of Etgar Keret’s story “Shoes” in Hebrew and two English translations.

1: Text and audio excerpts, the last line of Etgar Keret’s story “Shoes” in Hebrew and two English translations.

It is interesting to compare two English translations of “Shoes.” One of the most fascinating differences between the two is the description of the shoes in the final sentence of the story. Along with the original Hebrew text, the two translations of the final sentence are presented here, one an excerpt from the printed story, and one an audio clip of Keret himself reading the story aloud.

Suggested Activity: Have students read and listen to the excerpts and compare the translation of the final sentence. How might the reader interpret the translations “bounce in my step” versus “judging by the tread”? What does each translation offer? What does each evoke? If students have a background in Hebrew, have them read the original text and offer their own translation. You can note for students that in the past, Holocaust writing in Hebrew implied an ideological Zionist decision. With Keret, however, it is less of a reactive, political choice. It is simply his native language. Ask students how this story would change if it were written in Yiddish or English than in Hebrew.

Sources: Etgar Keret, “Naalayim,” Ivrit at UC Berkeley, 2010, http://ivrit.berkeley.edu/index.php/list/single/naalayim.

Etgar Keret, “Shoes,” in Gaza Blues: Different Stories, Etgar Keret and Samir El-Youssef (Eastbourne UK: Gardners, 2004).

Etgar Keret, “Etgar Keret Reads Shoes," Radio Free AWP, Inside Higher Ed, January 29, 2011. https://www.insidehighered.com/audio/2011/01/29/etgar-keret-reads-shoes.