So far, so amusing. But then it made me think of my books.
My various titles have been translated into a good few languages, and for all I know they could be replete with interesting changes of meaning. Of course they were translated by good, professional translators, but even so slip-ups can occur.
As it happens I know this for certain, by taking a quick look at my biography in the German translation of 'Instant Egghead Guide to Physics', which becomes 'Physik für Eierköpfe'.
I'm not sure where they got it from, as there isn't a biography in the English version, but if you take a look at this snippet from my website, you don't need to be a German speaker to spot what's wrong in the first line of the German version:
I know that's more a transcription error than a translation problem - an error that could occur even in an English version, but at least with English texts I see the proofs and can correct them.
There are now rather a lot of translations out there, as the picture below indicates, with a good few more in production as we speak. With most, frankly, I haven't a clue, and my rusty school French and German would be little help in attempting to spot any errors even in those relatively familiar languages.
So what is the moral of all this? There may be errors, but there's not a lot I can do about them (unless an eagle-eyed reader sends me an email). That being the case, it's best not to say anything. After all, it is best not to be rude to a translator. They have an important job to do - and I don't want the literary equivalent of an insulted waiter spitting in a customer's soup.
While it is acceptable for a translator to make a few mistakes here and there, let's not be too lenient with their errors. After all, it would be more troublesome if the thought you're trying to convey is altered merely because of a mistake in translation. Also, I'm sure a professional and acclaimed translator won't translate your book wrongfully on purpose if you call him/her out on their mistake. Anyway, thanks for the great read as always, Brian. More power to you!
ReplyDeleteIsrael Oliver @ Atlas Translations
Thanks, Israel. I'm sure you are right that a professional translator would not resort to revenge. It was more an attempt at a humorous sign-off than a genuine concern.
DeleteI think that the job of a translator is to translate your work in a professional manner. With that being said, I think that any good translator will be more than willing to correct the mistakes that were made by them. And I don't think you should feel inclined to except mistakes that should be corrected. As a customer, what you want is what you should get.
ReplyDeleteSean @ Excel Translations
I am sure you are right (and like Israel, I will let you get away with a link there), however the point was rather that because I can’t read the translated book, I don’t know if there are errors. Technically I’m not really the customer, that would be the publisher in the country where the translation is being made, and in practice they are the ones who will check the text.
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