Nastavnitsa, ili pansion v Brussele and other early Villette translations.

Soon after Villette was published in January 1853, it was translated into other languages. German and Russian translations were the first, in the same year. A Danish version followed, in the winter of 1853-1854. A Dutch translation was published in 1856. But that was it, as far as is known, for a long time. I could find no early Villettes in other countries. This article gives a description of the early (non-French) translations.  Read all the article on brusselsbronte

Advertisement of 21 November 1856
in Opregte Haarlemsche Courant.

The Netherlands

In view of the popularity of Jane Eyre in The Netherlands it is a bit surprising that it took three years before a Dutch translation of Villette was published. Then again, it had become a sleepy country, unlike Belgium. The translator of the work is not given. It was published by J.F.V. Behrns from Harlingen, in the northern province of Friesland. Jan Frederik Valentin Behrns (1830-1883) started publishing, it appears in 1854. Villette was the only literary work he ever did, in 1856, the year he married. It makes one wonder if he did that for his new bride, Aleida Tjeenk Willink. It seems likely that he wrote the introduction, which shows some personal enthusiasm. He concludes with: ‘And herewith the book goes into the world, and we hope also into the heart of many a reader.’ Surely at least one of the newly-wedded couple was a ‘fan’ of the Brontës, and he may well have commissioned the translation.

Villette was still being advertised two years later, on 15 Nov 1859, as a book for “leesgezelschappen”, the Dutch reading societies with which we began this series of articles.