Is translation considered an achievement?

Question

I have read all the stories about Sherlock Holmes when I was student. As I think most people have read it and they would agree that it has most mind-stimulating effect and worth reading. Because of this, I decided it would be nice to translate these stories into my native language, so that everyone else, especially school kids can read them.

There are 9 books about Sherlock Holmes written by Arthur Connan Doyle.
1. A STUDY IN SCARLET
2. THE SIGN OF FOUR
3. THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ...etc.

I have translated first two books and recently published one of it. And I intend to translate and publish all nine of them.

Recently, I have been assigned a task to write an essay "What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such".
Do you think that my translation should be considered substantial accomplishment? And if it should, how do explain why?

Thank you in advance,

Answer 1

Yes, it is a major achievement, especially since you had it published. I'm curious as to what your native language is, though, since I know Holmes has been translated a lot before.

It was a great initiative on your part to translate them and share the stories. And, as you know, translating is not that easy, because you have to find the exact word. They give university degrees in translation, since it's so difficult, and not everyone can do it. That you did it by yourself, and I'm guessing without a translation degree, is a fantastic achievement.

I'm rambly and don't make a lot of sense, but congratulations!

Answer 2

Yes, that was a very substantial achievement. Into what language did you translate?

I would explain how long it took to do, how many times you had to rework a particularly difficult passage until it had the sense accurately conveyed, etc. What did you do about nouns and verbs with no direct parallel in your language, because they are particularly British in character? Just use the English word? Or perhaps use footnotes or parenthetical descriptions? It must have been an enormous job of organizing, reading and re-reading, polishing and editing.

I'm impressed. I think your essay readers will be, too.

Answer 3

if it is your native tounge then u have done well to learn english and then translate it back to your tounge so yes i would call that an acheivment