Do you believe there is something lost in translation?

Question

I recently bought the novel 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. When I got home, I remembered that the novel is originally written in Spanish and I thought to myself that it would be better to read it in the original language (Coincidentally my mother received a copy in spanish so now I have two). Now I'm about to read it in Spanish and I will read it in English to see how much a difference exists between the two.

So many great novels have been translated into various languages. Do you believe that there is something lost in the translation of these novels besides it not being in the original words of the author? If the message is the same, is there any real difference? Have any of you experienced this with anything you have read?

I've been thinking this over since many of the books I purchased lately have been translated from another language. Although I can read Spanish, I can't read Turkish or Portuguese.

Any comments and thoughts would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Since every language offers a slightly different way to perceive and interpret the world, there is just no way of rendering the exact same work of art an original work of literature is into another language. A good translation can be a work of art in itself, such as the very good translation of Shakepeare's dramas into German by Schlegel and Tieck, or the much more recent translation of Tolstoi's "Anna Karenina" by Pevear and Volokhonsky. But any translation can only be an approximation to the tone, the feeling, the style of the original; and the greater the original work of literature is, the more precarious is the translator's work. The Italians have the proverb "traduttore - traditore" ('translator - traitor'), and that's what it refers to.

And, by the way, lainie: Paulo Coelho writes in Portuguese, so the English version was as much a translation as the Greek one!

Answer 2

As a writer, in English, I've always been convinced much is lost in translation. The different associations between words in different languages (like the harmonics in musical notes which are so vital) are significant to meaning. Then there's the form or order in which words are delivered in the different grammatical constructs of languages. And all that affects the "music", rhythm, and so on. So I envy you your ability to read in another language - especially Cervantes! By the way there are also tremendous effects in "translating" a work from one form to another - such as a novel to a play. The exigencies of the new form force changes to the story, as I learned against my will!

Answer 3

Before there was written scripture, there was Tradition ... first Hebrew, then (and now) Catholic. Authentic Tradition is not only much more complete than the Bible, it is also of the same God inspired source, since Tradition is the means by which the Holy Spirit guides the People of God, from age to age. The Bible is a subset of authentic Judeo-Christian Tradition that has been set down in writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is complete, inerrant, and along with the Holy Spirit and the teaching authority of the Catholic Church ... quite sufficient. The Hebrew word for that would be "Shalom" ... nothing missing ... nothing broken.

Answer 4

Apparently cinese is a very descriptive language. Similarly some languages have the same word for work as for fun.

So in responce to your initial question, yes there is definently somthing lost in translation.

Answer 5

I agree that any translation somewhat limits the original story. However, Gregory Rabassa (translator for "100 Years of Solitude" and "Autumn of the Patriarch") has won prizes for his translations of Marquez.

Answer 6

Yes! I have read Pablo Coehlo books in English and then I read them translated in greek ( i am greek american) . It seemed to me that the greek translation was written better than the english version.

Answer 7

Of course. Actually, translated books are different books themselves.

And do you know the saying "Traduttore traditore"? meaning the translators are traitors.