Comments on: Literature in Translation http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/literature-in-translation/ Thoughts about reading fiction, nonfiction, & children's books, new & old Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:48:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Rebecca Reid http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/literature-in-translation/#comment-423 Rebecca Reid Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:56:03 +0000 http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/?p=91#comment-423 @tanabata: I hadn't thought translations would make such a difference. But I'm going to make sure to research them too. @tanabata: I hadn’t thought translations would make such a difference. But I’m going to make sure to research them too.

]]> By: tanabata http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/literature-in-translation/#comment-414 tanabata Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:51:26 +0000 http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/?p=91#comment-414 If available, I usually try to research the different translations beforehand too. I think an awkward translation can certainly affect my enjoyment of a book. I tried reading The Tale of Genji a couple of years ago but got stalled out by the literal, and to me, rather dry translation I had. It's well respected but maybe almost too literal. So now I have a more recent translation that also has a very good reputation. Hopefully I'll have more luck with it. If available, I usually try to research the different translations beforehand too. I think an awkward translation can certainly affect my enjoyment of a book. I tried reading The Tale of Genji a couple of years ago but got stalled out by the literal, and to me, rather dry translation I had. It’s well respected but maybe almost too literal. So now I have a more recent translation that also has a very good reputation. Hopefully I’ll have more luck with it.

]]> By: Rebecca Reid http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/literature-in-translation/#comment-395 Rebecca Reid Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:22:55 +0000 http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/?p=91#comment-395 @Eva: I've just discovered the subtle joys of various translations! I did enjoy the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of this. I'll have to look for theirs for the other Russian works I'm going to be reading. @Eva: I’ve just discovered the subtle joys of various translations! I did enjoy the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of this. I’ll have to look for theirs for the other Russian works I’m going to be reading.

]]> By: Eva http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/literature-in-translation/#comment-386 Eva Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:59:45 +0000 http://reviews.rebeccareid.com/?p=91#comment-386 I am a total Pevear & Volokhonsky groupie. :D Before I buy a classic, if it wasn't originally written in English, I make it a point to research the various translations to help me decide. Contemporary books are harder, because there's just the one translation so I have to trust the person more. However, so far I haven't run into a horrendous contemporary translation-fingers crossed! I am a total Pevear & Volokhonsky groupie. :D

Before I buy a classic, if it wasn’t originally written in English, I make it a point to research the various translations to help me decide. Contemporary books are harder, because there’s just the one translation so I have to trust the person more. However, so far I haven’t run into a horrendous contemporary translation-fingers crossed!

]]>