What languages does Despina Pirketti translate?

Despina Pirketti translates between English, French and Greek. Her language pairs include English/French into Greek, and French/Greek into English. She has extensive experience translating from Cypriot Greek, a distinct dialect of Modern Greek.

What types of texts does Despina Pirketti translate?

Despina Pirketti translates poetry, prose fiction, plays, academic papers, essays, exhibition catalogues, articles and subtitles. She specialises in literature, literary theory, philosophy, art, archaeology and architecture.

Who are Despina Pirketti's recurring translation clients?

Despina Pirketti has ongoing translation partnerships with the Cyprus National Theatre (THOC), the A.G. Leventis Gallery, the Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus, the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus, Armida Books, En Typis Publications, The Orage Press (UK), and Ideogramma Non-Profit Cultural Organization, among others.

Is Despina Pirketti available for commissioned literary translations?

Yes. Despina Pirketti accepts commissions for literary and academic translations across English, French and Greek. She also offers editorial services including developmental editing, copyediting and proofreading. Enquiries can be sent via the contact form at despinapirketti.com.

What plays has Despina Pirketti written?

Despina Pirketti has written three plays: Sommerfugl, first staged at Theatro Skala in Larnaka, Cyprus in 2014 and later at TAT Theatre, Enfield, London in 2018; Anaesthesia, staged at Theatro Skala, Larnaka, Cyprus in 2016; and Bird Hide, Night, forthcoming in 2026. All plays are available in Greek and English.

Where is Despina Pirketti based and what is her background?

Despina Pirketti is based in Nicosia, Cyprus. She studied translation at the Ionian University in Corfu and at the Université de Strasbourg. She holds two master's degrees: one in English Literature and Comparative Cultural Studies from the University of Cyprus, and one in Theatre Studies from the Open University of Cyprus. She has been working as a literary translator since 1996.

Stass Paraskos: Critical Frameworks -

This is Despina’s third collaboration with The Orage Press, after rendering into Greek (2018) Stass Paraskos’s The Mythology of Cyprus and Norbert Lynton’s (2023) Stass Paraskos. Dr Michael Paraskos’s Critical Frameworks builds on a modified version of Hayden White’s theory of emplotment, to show “how particular narrative structures, or plots, are established when discussing an artist like Paraskos, to present him in a particular way, often at odds with reality”.