As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition November 2016.
Judith González-Benter, a professional translator and McAllen resident, translated her first published book into Spanish. The book called The Christmas Star from Afar is now La Estrella Lejana de Navidad in Spanish. This is an original and well put-together children’s book by author Natalie Ard from Alamo, California. Mrs. Ard considers it to be the flagship product of her family.
“The Christmas Star from Afar”, a book and game that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas, was launched in English last October, 2014 with excellent feedback.
Now, in 2016, Mrs. Ard selected Judith González-Benter to translate into Spanish her precious literary creation, which now is being offered to the vast Hispanic market.
Judith said the book encourages children to go on a hunt for their Star, similar to the Wise Men’s search for the Star. The book is a 29-page work of art, which beautifully rhymes in English. Judith said after she finished translating the book, “It gives the same pleasure to children and adults who read it.”
In this book, the Star is hidden every day, and the children participate in a fun hide-and-seek game to locate it. Once they have found their Star, they move all Three Wise Men to the current location of the Star. On Christmas morning the Three Wise Men reach their final destination when the Star is found above the stable and the baby Jesus.
Judith pointed out that the book game includes a wooden Star, a full wooden nativity scene with 10 characters from the Bible that matches the artwork of the book, and optional scriptures to use throughout the month.
Through her professional career, Judith has translated hundreds of documents, serving a vast variety of clients, from being the official translator for Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, to providing her services for legal purposes in both countries, the United States and Mexico.
“I’ve always done translations because it is my passion.” She said, “I love languages and cultures, and it gives me a lot of comfort to know that I can be a voice in Spanish when I translate documents or books for children. It is fun and interesting for me,” she told Texas Border Business.
“This particular book had a challenge that made the translation all the more complex,” she pointed out. “The story rhymes. It is a written poem and the verses rhyme, especially to attract children. I translated the literature, and made sure that it rhymed in Spanish and that it retained the original essence of the work.”
La Estrella Lejana de Navidad (The Christmas Star from Afar) is now on sale in the U.S. and Mexico. Parents should look for and buy the book and use it to spend quality time with their children. “It’s a book kit for children and the story teaches them the real meaning of Christmas,” Judith said. To purchase the book in either language go to www.starfromafar.com.
Judith has extensive experience in translating all manner of legal and business documents, television and radio commercials, creative writing including poetry, and doing voice over talent. Judith has both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master’s degree in Spanish Literature from the University of Texas Pan-American (now UTRGV) where she graduated with Honors Summa Cum Laude. Her contact information is: judithbenter@gmail.com .
“I am very dedicated and confident in my work. If you need a project done, the turn-around time in a given timeframe is respected and ensured responsibly and accurately.”
“My parents, Rafael and Gloria González, instilled in me to always have respect for others, to be honest and to take people seriously especially when they trust me with their projects.”
Judith is married to Brad Benter and they have two wonderful kids, Bradley and Valerie.
“My creative mind and ability to rhyme the words into a poetry translation without losing the meaning and making it easy for young readers to understand was like hopping on a cloud and letting my imagination go intertwining the words into the rich Spanish language. I am full of joy to know that I have collaborated in the Spanish edition of this story to fill the season with a new and educational experience for children all over the United States and México.” She finalized. TBB
