Napadayawan ti "Ti Bassit a Prinsipe," patarus ti "Le Petit Prince" ("The Little Prince") ni Antoine de Saint-Exupéry a kas "Best Translated Book in Ilokano" iti Maika-42 a National Books Awards (NBA) nga intuyang ti National Book Development Board (NBDB) ken ti Manila Critics Circle (MCC), iti awarding ceremony a naangay iti Centro de Turismo, Intramuros, Manila idi Nob. 23, 2024.
Inawat da Cles B. Rambaud ken Faye Q. Flores-Melegrito, dagiti nangipatarus iti libro, ti tropeo ken sertipikoda, iti panangbayabay ni Pia Perez ti Southern Voices Printing Press a nangipablaak iti "Ti Bassit a Prinsipe."
Kabayatan ti seremonia, impeksa ni Flores-Melegrito ti panagyamanda babaen ti maysa nga acceptance speech:
"'Ti Bassit a Prinsipe' started with a wish. I saw a translation of “The Little Prince” and requested Manong Cles Rambaud to make an Ilokano translation. He replied that we do it together. Ms. Pia Perez of Southern Voices Printing Press connected with us and brought to fruition what we envisioned. We launched “Ti Bassit a Prinsipe” two years after I wished for an Ilokano Little Prince.
Presidente Marcos, addan iti Filipinas
"What followed was a journey as full of adventures as that of Bassit a Prinsipe!
Through Bassit a Prinsipe, I had a better appreciation of how books are made. Bookmaking is actually a story of friendship, one of collaboration. From the writer and publisher, to book designer and printer, to agencies and institutions involved in books, to readers and book clubs, to fellow writers and publishers, to government offices and private entities, to everyone who loves books.
“'What is essential is invisible to the eye.' We could not see it; but we could feel it. It is palpable, especially here and now - our love for books. Let us spread the love for reading among Filipinos, particularly reading of Philippine books.
"Manong Cles and I thank the National Book Development Board Philippines and Manila Critics Circle for recognizing “Ti Bassit a Prinsipe” as the Best Translated Book in Ilokano at the 42nd National Book Awards. Recognizing books written in the regional languages further inspire us writers in these languages to make noteworthy works.
A special thank you to our publisher, Ms. Pia. Ken naimpusuan a panagyaman para iti nasangsangayan a rosas ni Manong Cles, ken ti prinsipe ken sorok.
"Today, I state another wish - that more Ilokano books - Ilokano literature! - will be recognized, and enjoyed by readers, not only in the Philippines but worldwide!
"Ni Apo Dios ti agngina kadakayo amin! Agyamankami unay!"
Iti citation ti NBA para iti "Ti Bassit a Prinsipe," nailanad ti sumaganad:
"Ti Bassit a Prinsipe revitalizes the tradition of translation in Ilokano and thereby attests the capabilities of the language. The overall form of the book raises the bar for Ilokano book production, and the language use and translation style employed by the translators, Cles B. Rambaud and Faye Q. Flores-Melegrito, on The Little Prince reflect the merits of upholding the prevailing aesthetics of Ilokano literature which is shared by literary production and translation. The recognition of this translation of the classic work by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry with a National Book Award reiterates the place of the Ilokano language, as well as that of the practice of translation in Philippine languages, in world literature." (RVA/Bannawag)
