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The essence of translation
Аўтар тэмы: Tina Vonhof (X)
Tina Vonhof (X)
Tina Vonhof (X)
Канада
Local time: 23:36
галандская → англійская
+ ...
Oct 5, 2008

I would like to share this passage from the book "Crescent" by Diana Abu-Jaber (a beautiful book, highly recommended):

"You're not really fluent in a language until it's pretty much invisible to you," Han says. "When I translate, I deal with words as conscious things. You stare at the pages and you know what everything means, in both languages, and you wonder how on earth to make both languages - with all their history and innuendos - mean the same thing."

"When you put... See more
I would like to share this passage from the book "Crescent" by Diana Abu-Jaber (a beautiful book, highly recommended):

"You're not really fluent in a language until it's pretty much invisible to you," Han says. "When I translate, I deal with words as conscious things. You stare at the pages and you know what everything means, in both languages, and you wonder how on earth to make both languages - with all their history and innuendos - mean the same thing."

"When you put it like that, it sounds sort of impossible."

He rubs his palm over his forehead a moment. "Trying to translate Hemingway into Arabic is like trying to translate a bird into a river. Not only do you have to translate the words, you also have to try and translate the feelings and ideas for all kinds of things from one culture to another - like what faith or courage is."

This not really "off-topic" - I think we need a new category: "on the topic of translation". ▲ Collapse
 
Ritu Bhanot
Ritu Bhanot  Identity Verified
Францыя
французская → хіндзі
+ ...
Beautiful Oct 5, 2008

Thanks a lot for sharing it. It's so beautiful and yet, so true.
 
Özden Arıkan
Özden Arıkan  Identity Verified
Германія
Local time: 07:36
Член
англійская → турэцкая
+ ...
The essence of translation Oct 5, 2008

Hi Tina,

Thank you for sharing this beautiful quote. You are right that this is not off-[the]topic[of translation], though, and after a brief hesitation (as to whether the Lighter Side would be more appropriate) I've decided to move it here, to Translation Theory and Practice. Please let us know if you have a better idea.

Regards,
Özden
 
Tina Vonhof (X)
Tina Vonhof (X)
Канада
Local time: 23:36
галандская → англійская
+ ...
ПАЧЫНАЛЬНІК ТЭМЫ
No problem Oct 5, 2008

Özden Arıkan wrote:

Hi Tina,

Thank you for sharing this beautiful quote. You are right that this is not off-[the]topic[of translation], though, and after a brief hesitation (as to whether the Lighter Side would be more appropriate) I've decided to move it here, to Translation Theory and Practice. Please let us know if you have a better idea.

Regards,
Özden



Hi Özden,

I would not have thought of putting it there myself because it has to do with the "art" of translation rather than theory and practice but it's no problem. This forum is as good as any, as long as it resonates with people or makes them think.

Tina
 
bright21st
bright21st
Кітай
Local time: 13:36
англійская → кітайская
+ ...
View from China Oct 6, 2008

In the academic field of China, the context in the translation gains increasing importance. It seems that the translation must balance the two cultures instead of two languages as words are intertwined in a meaning network, where culture plays an important role. Sometimes cultures even make translation impossible.

And what's your view on word for word translation?
 


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