Translations from SK

[Cristian M]

Let's discuss various passages translations from American English to other languages.
We should also compare the translations to the original. Sometimes we can spot errors in translation. Other times we realize the translation sounds much funnier for the respective native speakers. With this occasion we might also learn more from the target language , in case we are actively studying it as a third language (i.e. besides native language and English).

 

[GNTLGNT]

...I admire the spirit, but sounds too much like work...

 

[Cristian M]

I can break the ice by mentioning some funny translation flaws into Romanian (my native language).

In Shining , Jack Torrance thinks of a train wreck movie and he recalls the train driver dying with his hand on the throttle ( Wreck of the Old 97 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ). In Romanian they misread it as throat , I guess, so the translation says: he died with his hand on his throat. When I was reading it I was like wtf is this all about ?

 

[Dana Jean]

I can break the ice by mentioning some funny translation flaws into Romanian (my native language).

In Shining , Jack Torrance thinks of a train wreck movie and he recalls the train driver dying with his hand on the throttle ( Wreck of the Old 97 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ). In Romanian they misread it as throat , I guess, so the translation says: he died with his hand on his throat. When I was reading it I was like wtf is this all about ?

No wonder things are so misunderstood in just every day talking!

 

[Kurben]

There is a lot of bad translations going around. Thats why i never read King in Swedish. I always read the english. Have seen to many books that have been slaughtered by translations. When someone write so well you just wanna get it firsthand. When the language isn't as good you can risk reading in translation. For example i have read Lee Child in both ways and don't think i have lost much in the deal. Not that Child writes badlyy but he is not so concerned with building up an atmosphere as King is. You can translate the words but to catch an atmosphere is more difficult.

 

[Cristian M]

I say the native language is sometimes more entertaining, it uses expressions specific to the natives. If the translator is good, reading both the original and the translation gives you the full picture, they complement each other.

 

[Lina]

A lot of bad translations into Russian, too. I stopped reading SK and other American authors years ago, as soon as I was able to properly read in English.
I think I already told this story here some time ago, but not everyone remembers, so I will tell it again. As a student (I was studying linguistics, I am a translator) I was making a scientific research on errors in translations of fiction literature. As an example I took Pet Sematary, the original and three different tranlations of it. I can tell you there was no good translation! In all the three books there was a huge amount of mistakes, names translated wrong, sentences misunderstood, a lot of mistakes that influence the meaning of the text. In some older translations there are even whole passages missed... I wonder how could the translator decide what is necessary in the text and what is not?

Well, anyway, now I think it's best to read in the original if you have this chance. And I wish there were more good translations now, because people from other countries also should have this chance to read good books!

 

[Kurben]

A lot of bad translations into Russian, too. I stopped reading SK and other American authors years ago, as soon as I was able to properly read in English.
I think I already told this story here some time ago, but not everyone remembers, so I will tell it again. As a student (I was studying linguistics, I am a translator) I was making a scientific research on errors in translations of fiction literature. As an example I took Pet Sematary, the original and three different tranlations of it. I can tell you there was no good translation! In all the three books there was a huge amount of mistakes, names translated wrong, sentences misunderstood, a lot of mistakes that influence the meaning of the text. In some older translations there are even whole passages missed... I wonder how could the translator decide what is necessary in the text and what is not?

Well, anyway, now I think it's best to read in the original if you have this chance. And I wish there were more good translations now, because people from other countries also should have this chance to read good books!

How right you are! The problem with stores, at least here, is that once the translations arrives many bookstores take down the english version from the shelves. There are a few that are good. There is a bookstore that specializes in Sf and Horror and they have a very good selection of almost anything of value there. But just a little crime and other stuff and mostly in english. I love that store!
The problem is when i'm reading books by russian, french or german authors. Then i have to rely on translators. Read Metro 2033 but i doubt the translation from russian was topclass.

 

[BeverleyMarsh]

I recently purchased Lisey's Story in French for my mum. I had a look at the translation and I have to say I wondered how my mum was supposed to get into it with the very awkward translation of Scott and Lisey's secret language for example. She's been trying for a month now but she doesn't get why that novel is as good as I tell her it is. I'm blaming the translation.

 

[jchanic]

Just curious (I don't read any foreign languages) but do the translated books list the translator anywhere? Are some translators more trusted?

John

 

[Cristian M]

I recently purchased Lisey's Story in French for my mum. I had a look at the translation and I have to say I wondered how my mum was supposed to get into it with the very awkward translation of Scott and Lisey's secret language for example. She's been trying for a month now but she doesn't get why that novel is as good as I tell her it is. I'm blaming the translation.

What I originally asked for this thread is to have some excerpts in the target language (French, Swedish, Russian, etc). Then we can enjoy the specific flavor for that language and compare to the original English text.

 

[Cristian M]

Just curious (I don't read any foreign languages) but do the translated books list the translator anywhere? Are some translators more trusted?

John

Yes, books usually have the translator's name too. I wonder if Mr. King collaborates with translators in Europe to have a good translation , in case the translators are in doubt about some expressions, etc. I know Umberto Eco likes to do that (keep in touch with his translators), according to one of his books on translations.

 

[Cristian M]

There is a lot of bad translations going around. Thats why i never read King in Swedish. I always read the english. Have seen to many books that have been slaughtered by translations. When someone write so well you just wanna get it firsthand. When the language isn't as good you can risk reading in translation. For example i have read Lee Child in both ways and don't think i have lost much in the deal. Not that Child writes badlyy but he is not so concerned with building up an atmosphere as King is. You can translate the words but to catch an atmosphere is more difficult.

Kurben, I would love to have some short excerpts in Swedish from translations of SK books, some text passages you deemed memorable. My third language active studying is Norwegian and my fourth is German, but of course I enjoy once in a while to read Danish and Swedish texts. My native language is Romanian and I fluently speak English.

 

[Kurben]

Just curious (I don't read any foreign languages) but do the translated books list the translator anywhere? Are some translators more trusted?

John

At least in sweden it is always said in the book. translated by: Some are in high regard while others are just making a living out of it and probably do passable translations but may miss the finer shades. Sometimes they are arguing all around the cultural pages in the newspapers. There was big debate when Tolkien was retranslated recently. Sensitive subject for readers of many generations.

 

[Cristian M]

At least in sweden it is always said in the book. translated by: Some are in high regard while others are just making a living out of it and probably do passable translations but may miss the finer shades. Sometimes they are arguing all around the cultural pages in the newspapers. There was big debate when Tolkien was retranslated recently. Sensitive subject for readers of many generations.

It is important to have a good translation. Most people simply don't have the deep knowledge of American English to understand some of the cultural references and language expressions. It takes one to grow and be educated in US to really get some of the more difficult passages in the original text. Thank God SK is not Chinese !

 

[BeverleyMarsh]

What I originally asked for this thread is to have some excerpts in the target language (French, Swedish, Russian, etc). Then we can enjoy the specific flavor for that language and compare to the original English text.

I appreciate this was the point of your thread but unfortunately my mum took the book with her to travel to France and she's still away. So I'm not able to quote anything specifically, just felt like commenting on the issue of Sk translations...Ok, I'll see myself out

 

[Cristian M]

I appreciate this was the point of your thread but unfortunately my mum took the book with her to travel to France and she's still away. So I'm not able to quote anything specifically, just felt like commenting on the issue of Sk translations...Ok, I'll see myself out

This is cool. A French Bev Marsh. Do you have red hair ? How would Ben's haiku sound in French ?

 

[BeverleyMarsh]

This is cool. A French Bev Marsh. Do you have red hair ? How would Ben's haiku sound in French ?

Cheers. I had red hair until last week actually, I'm now blond.

"Ben's haiku", I'm confused, what is it?

 

[Cristian M]

Cheers. I had red hair until last week actually, I'm now blond.

"Ben's haiku", I'm confused, what is it?

Ben Hanscom is in love with Bev. Ben from Benjamin. Ben , the fat boy in IT. He wrote a haiku and sent it anonymously to Bev when they were both around 12 of age.

 

[BeverleyMarsh]

Ben Hanscom is in love with Bev. Ben from Benjamin. Ben , the fat boy in IT. He wrote a haiku and sent it anonymously to Bev when they were both around 12 of age.

Well, you see, once again it's the translation that must have got me confused. I remember perfectly Ben writing Bev a poem but I read It in French years ago and Haiku would have been translated to " poème bref" ou " petit poème" in French, I expect ( can't be specific again, haven't got the French version at hand) so that's why I didn't have a clue what you were on about!