| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Cases of translating something we didn't like by principle? Thread poster: Stilgar
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Stilgar
Canada
Local time: 19:41
English to French
Hello,
I was wondering if there are any known (or less known!) cases in which a translator has translated something he or she didn't like, even hated, because he/she wanted to make a point, make the author's way of thinking known to their culture (or any other reasons)?
The only thing that comes to mind is the French translation of Mein Kampf...
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance.
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:41
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Stilgar wrote:
Hello,
I was wondering if there are any known (or less known!) cases in which a translator has translated something he or she didn't like, even hated, because he/she wanted to make a point, make the author's way of thinking known to their culture (or any other reasons)?
The only thing that comes to mind is the French translation of Mein Kampf...
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance.
I recently turned down a very lucrative job translating a big technical specification for a missile system. I don't do military translations. Does that count?
I would also have trouble translating the works of the Marquis de Sade - although I salute those who have done so.
[Edited at 2010-11-16 09:06 GMT]
| | | | | You cannot make a point | Nov 16, 2010 |
The problem with translation is that you cannot "make a point" in the translation. You are supposed to translate whatever is contained in the text, with no points, alterations, or comments of your own (unless you need to add a linguistic note).
If you are not ready to produce a translation that is 100% true to the source, for ethical, moral, or other reasons, just turn down the job and go on with your life.
| | | | Giles Watson 
Italy
Local time: 01:41
Italian to English
In memoriam | Remember Voltaire | Nov 16, 2010 |
There is a quotation attributed to Voltaire:
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
We could add: "Pay me enough, and I'll even help you to say it in another language" 
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| turned also down | Nov 16, 2010 |
I did turn down a large translation project for a nuclear power plant, a game translation with overly aggressive content and the translation for a Casino/Gaming website. On the other hand I happen to do goodwill translations for causes I support.
And finally I sometimes compromise to a certain extent on contents that I don't like very much but which help me to make my living. But in any case, when I take on a project, I do it according to all rules of the art. But I am afraid that all of ... See more I did turn down a large translation project for a nuclear power plant, a game translation with overly aggressive content and the translation for a Casino/Gaming website. On the other hand I happen to do goodwill translations for causes I support.
And finally I sometimes compromise to a certain extent on contents that I don't like very much but which help me to make my living. But in any case, when I take on a project, I do it according to all rules of the art. But I am afraid that all of the above is off topic.
If I understand Stilgar right he/she is looking for examples of translators translating contents against their principles in order to make them available (for discussion...) not to make a point of their own within the translation. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Giles Watson
Italy
Local time: 01:41
Italian to English
In memoriam | Happens all the time | Nov 16, 2010 |
Cornelia Mayer wrote:
If I understand Stilgar right he/she is looking for examples of translators translating contents against their principles in order to make them available (for discussion...) not to make a point of their own within the translation.
Making a point of your own "within the translation" sounds highly unprofessional.
I do a lot of journalistic translations and quite often I have reservations about the sentiments expressed in the articles. That's my problem, though. It doesn't stop me doing my best to frame those sentiments in appropriate English.
Lawyers will defend the most appalling criminals dispassionately so that the judge can hand down a fair sentence. Think of translators as lawyers and the reader as the judge.
| | | | | Michael Cronin | Nov 16, 2010 |
writes about translation as resistance in “History, Translation, Postcolonialism”, in Changing the Terms: Translating in the Postcolonial.
He says: “[t]he invisibility of the translator in colonial contexts is more often than not a pious fiction that is structurally programmed to implode”. He writes mainly about the relationship between English and Irish Gaelic, and of course it's not about commercial translation, but mostly literary. It's really interesting!
| | | | | I frequently turn down translations | Nov 16, 2010 |
I frequently turn down translations that go against my religious beliefs or against my personal convictions...I received several requests of translations related to alcohol or meat which isn't hallal (kacher) and I refuse it be it big or small
There isn't really any problem in that, I even do it with some of my regular clients who respect my point of view and send me other things which won't offend my personal beliefs...
A translator is a human being after all !
There is a quotation attributed to Voltaire:
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
We could add: "Pay me enough, and I'll even help you to say it in another language"
Sometimes even for a mountain of gold, some of us won't do it !
I also agree with all the comments, you don't make a point with a translation, you have to be faithful to the author, his ideas, his view of the subject...etc. As a professional, you have to translate and not adapt or make a point unfortunately.
To make a point, you can write an article for a journal or write a book explaining why the ideas in the one you don't like are bad !
[Edited at 2010-11-16 15:27 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-11-16 15:28 GMT]
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| The mountain of gold | Nov 16, 2010 |
I think that being true to your beliefs or ideas is actually a very good thing to do in all spheres of your life, and making choices is always a healthy exercise and an honourable one. The maximum asset any translator (and every person) can have is peace of mind.
Having said that, there is also something else: we should respect all translators who feel that they must offer a good service to their customers no matter the circumstances and who make an effort to translate about things ... See more I think that being true to your beliefs or ideas is actually a very good thing to do in all spheres of your life, and making choices is always a healthy exercise and an honourable one. The maximum asset any translator (and every person) can have is peace of mind.
Having said that, there is also something else: we should respect all translators who feel that they must offer a good service to their customers no matter the circumstances and who make an effort to translate about things they dislike or plain disagree with.
Both attitudes (applying private beliefs to the profession, and making an effort to serve their customers in the most neutral manner) are respectable, both exist, and we can live with both of them.
As much as I feel that nuclear power is not the solution and is plain bad for our future, being a technical translator I would not turn down a translation about a nuclear power plant if I feel that my work can contribute to the safety of the plant.
As much as I believe that I am plain lucky for believing in God, I would not turn down translations that dispute the existence of God or faith as a whole if the author is expressing own ideas in a respectful manner.
My only limit is a full respect of human rights. If I feel that the job at hand is against any human right, I definitely turn it down! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Stilgar
Canada
Local time: 19:41
English to French
TOPIC STARTER | I should have been a bit more specific... | Nov 16, 2010 |
Thanks for all your answers!
As Cornelia said, I was looking for things that were actually translated, like my example with the French translation of Mein Kampf. The translator, André Calmettes, published a separate article explaining why he translated the book, not so because of the dangers it may have contained and announced, but to offer to the French a better comprehension of the German ideology at the time.
There's also the English translation of Edgar Dugdale, wh... See more Thanks for all your answers!
As Cornelia said, I was looking for things that were actually translated, like my example with the French translation of Mein Kampf. The translator, André Calmettes, published a separate article explaining why he translated the book, not so because of the dangers it may have contained and announced, but to offer to the French a better comprehension of the German ideology at the time.
There's also the English translation of Edgar Dugdale, whose wife prompted it to do. I believe they were both Jews and the translation was even offered for free.
Anyway, I'm not at all an expert on this! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | The mountain of Gold | Nov 16, 2010 |
Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
I think that being true to your beliefs or ideas is actually a very good thing to do in all spheres of your life, and making choices is always a healthy exercise and an honourable one. The maximum asset any translator (and every person) can have is peace of mind.
Having said that, there is also something else: we should respect all translators who feel that they must offer a good service to their customers no matter the circumstances and who make an effort to translate about things they dislike or plain disagree with.
Both attitudes (applying private beliefs to the profession, and making an effort to serve their customers in the most neutral manner) are respectable, both exist, and we can live with both of them.
As much as I feel that nuclear power is not the solution and is plain bad for our future, being a technical translator I would not turn down a translation about a nuclear power plant if I feel that my work can contribute to the safety of the plant.
As much as I believe that I am plain lucky for believing in God, I would not turn down translations that dispute the existence of God or faith as a whole if the author is expressing own ideas in a respectful manner.
My only limit is a full respect of human rights. If I feel that the job at hand is against any human right, I definitely turn it down!
This in itself is a belief ! You're not doing this for money you're doing it out of a professional position/ethic of your own.
That said, I didn't mean to be offensive with the example...
| | | | | And you were not! :-) | Nov 16, 2010 |
Mohamed Mehenoun wrote:
That said, I didn't mean to be offensive with the example...
But you were not offensive at all! In fact I agree with what you are saying and doing. I just wanted to express things from different points of view.
All best,
Tomás
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| the more the better, professionally speaking | Nov 17, 2010 |
Giles Watson wrote: We could add: "Pay me enough, and I'll even help you to say it in another language"
Well said Giles, some irony in that I presume
| | | | Giles Watson
Italy
Local time: 01:41
Italian to English
In memoriam | Paradox, not irony | Nov 17, 2010 |
traductorchile wrote: Giles Watson wrote: We could add: "Pay me enough, and I'll even help you to say it in another language" Well said Giles, some irony in that I presume
An element of paradox, yes.
The debate seems to have focused on extreme, and in many countries illegal, examples, such as texts promoting Nazism, paedophilia or behaviour that transgresses religious taboos.
But what about translations whose content is acceptable in the cultural context of the source language but which the translator perceives as distasteful, offensive (perhaps involving national or ethnic stereotypes) or wilfully mendacious?
| | | | Riadh Muslih (X)
Local time: 16:41
Arabic to English
+ ...
| I will translate it | Nov 19, 2010 |
I will translate almost anything unless what I'm translating is an advertising material that promotes illegal or immoral messages. Someone in the forum said he would not translate material that has names of alcohol or non halal meats. I, too, am a Muslim, and I see no moral or religious issue here. But I will not translate an ad that promotes pedophilia or porn, or criminal activities. The key word here is "promotion," as I don't want to be part of an enabler to deliver the message. But tra... See more I will translate almost anything unless what I'm translating is an advertising material that promotes illegal or immoral messages. Someone in the forum said he would not translate material that has names of alcohol or non halal meats. I, too, am a Muslim, and I see no moral or religious issue here. But I will not translate an ad that promotes pedophilia or porn, or criminal activities. The key word here is "promotion," as I don't want to be part of an enabler to deliver the message. But translating nuclear plant manuals (by the way I'm anti war activist), or historical books and texts, I see nothing that conflicts with my moral or ethical belief. ▲ Collapse
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