I came across this article on Facebook today and was wondering what others thought?
I think it's fair to imagine many translations of other books suffer from similar issues. Is anyone aware of any other instances of this?
I came across this article on Facebook today and was wondering what others thought?
I think it's fair to imagine many translations of other books suffer from similar issues. Is anyone aware of any other instances of this?
Moving between languages is always tricky. One such example I’m personally aware of is the translation I commissioned of Anko Itous’s ten precepts. I wanted the translation done by a non-martial artist to ensure no “pre-existing belief” was inadvertently included, but this poses its own difficulties.
My commissioned translation reads: “You must decide if karate is for your health or to aid your duty.” Discussions with another translator at a later date (who is a very experienced martial artist) said that the characters used can be translated as “practical use” and that is almost certain to be the intended statement. However, they could also a read as “duty” i.e. “doing as required”. Two “accurate” but different transactions; both done by professional translators.
We have issues when we translate from one language to another … and even more issues when we translate from one language to two other languages, and then compare those two translations (as was done in the linked article).
I think the process of translation is sure to lead to some ambiguity and misunderstandings.
All the best,
Iain
Translation is always difficult, as Iain said. I have problems with translation of my own work from English to Polish as in some cases there is no direct equivalent. I can imagine that will be even bigger problem in translation of pictograms.