Brandon Sanderson’s translator tells of his experience translating “Wind and Truth” and the big problem of typos

Brandon Sanderson is the hottest author on the global stage, a standout figure known for creating an incredibly complex fantasy universe that he continues to expand with an almost unheard-of frequency of releases. Recently, the fifth book in The Stormlight Archive, titled Wind and Truth, hit the shelves. In an interview with translator Manu Viciano on the Cosmere 16 podcast—a show dedicated to Sanderson’s books—concerns were raised about the demanding timeframe for translating the American author’s work.

Borja Tersa, the podcast host, highlighted that many people believe Manu “is not given enough time to translate,” which is why “the books don’t come out perfect.”

What Does the Translator Say?

When asked whether he had enough time to translate the book, Manu Viciano’s response was clear: “Yes, I had time to translate the book.” So, what’s the issue? He explained, “We’re talking about a book with over 1,400 pages, but let’s not even talk about page count—Rhythm of War had the same number. If we talk about text volume, this book has half a million words. In a 300-page book, you might find a couple of typos, and that’s normal. So in a 1,400-page book, finding 15 typos in the first edition is to be expected.”

A Work of Immense Complexity and Its Translation

Are typos inevitable in translations of this scale? Manu Viciano believes they’re not, but he emphasizes, “If there was more time—if this book could have been released in March—it probably would have come out without any typos or maybe just one or two.” Reading Sanderson in Spanish almost simultaneously with the English release comes with this trade-off: a complex translation done within tight deadlines, which can lead to a few errors in the first edition.