Alewyn Lee

(1926 (?)-1993) Actor, radio and TV announcer, translator and head language advisor to the SABC. *** Had a BA degree in English and Afrikaans from the University of Pretoria. He joined the SABC in 1949,working there till his retirement. His insistance on maintaining language standards in the SABC was the stuff of legend in the industry.

Among his more publicly notable contributions to radio and TV were his role as presenter of the perennially popular literary programme Skrywers en boeke, a discussion of writers and books, and his participation in the TV quiz show Dis my geheim ("This is my secret").

Besides his numerous published works on language and language issues, and his occasional stints as actor for stage, radio and film, he has had a significant impact on radio drama, TV drama and theatre through his translations of works by various international playwrights, used for radio and stage production.

Acting

For film

Had roles in the following films: Breekpunt ("Chemist", 1971); Ma skryf Matriek (1975); Die Rebel ("Dr. Smit" , 1976)

Translations

He (co-)translated and adapted numerous plays into Afrikaans from seven languages, among them:

Il paese delle vacanze by Ugo Betti (1937), translated as Skrikkeljaar (1959)

Fuente Ovejuna by Lope de Vega, translated as Skaapfontein ("Sheep Fountain") (1963)

Mariken van Nieumeghen, translated into Afrikaans as Marietjie van Nijmegen (1963)

Elweheuwel by Johan Ludvig Heiberg, translated and adapted for radio with Neil Pascoe (1953)

Die drie susters Author(s): Anton Pavlovich Chekhov Alewyn Lee Book Pages: Unknown - Publish Date: 19?? - Publisher: Unknown

Die huweliksaansoek Author(s): Anton Pavlovich Chekhov C. Benade Nerina Ferreira Alewyn Lee Book Pages: 13 - Publish Date: 198? - Publisher: Unknown

La regina e gli insorti by Ugo Betti. Translated into Afrikaans as Die koningin en die rebelle (1969)

Delitto all'isola delle capre by Ugo Betti. Translated into Afrikaans as Misdaad op Bokeiland ("Crime on Goat Island") (1969)

The Death of Ivan Iyich (Russian: Смерть Ивана Ильича, Smert' Ivana Ilyicha), first published in 1886, is a novella by Leo TolstoyDie dood van Iwan Iljitsj Author(s): graf Leo Tolstoy Alewyn Lee Book Pages: 107 - Publish Date: 1960 - Publisher: Unknown

Die dood van Iwan Iljitsj. Vertaal deur Alewyn Lee Author(s): graf Leo Tolstoy Alewyn LEE Book Pages: 126 - Publish Date: 1960 - Publisher: Unknown

La ciociara. Twee vroue. Vertaal deur Alewyn Lee Author(s): Alberto Moravia Alewyn LEE Book Pages: 303 - Publish Date: 1965 - Publisher: Unknown Twee vroue Author(s): Alberto Moravia A. Lee Book Pages: 303 - Publish Date: 1965 - Publisher: Unknown

He also tranlated a number of Chekhov's plays, including Die seemeeu, Die kersie boord, Drie susters, Oom Wanja, Die buffel en Die groot vraag. In 19*8 his celebrated collection Die Buffel e.a. Eenakters ("The Buffalo and other one act plays") by Anton Chekhov appeared.

Die Buffel en ander Eenakters by Anton Chekhov, translated into Afrikaans by Alewyn Lee

Awards

In 1980 he received an Artes Award for his translations of Chekhov and was elected a lifetime member of the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK).

Sources

Die Burger Vrydag, 26 Februarie 1993 bls [1]

Beeld, Vrydag, 26 Februarie 1993 bls 2[2]

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