Translating whatever
Three stories - one recent, one several years old, and the last a great deal older.
Of course there has to be background. As some of you know, I speak more or less fluent Latvian. Since I learned it as a 'trimdinieks' (a Latvian living outside of Latvia) there are current idiomatic expressions that I am not familiar with. Which doesn't really apply for these stories. The lesson to be learned is that translation is NOT an easy job without an extensive knowledge of the language.
The most recent.
Daughter Eldest (DE) made a comment on FaceBook about a phrase (Man ir taisniba.) only being correct for females. She did spell it correctly except for missing the 'long mark'* on the 'i' in 'tasiniba'. The word 'taisniba' is feminine in gender, much like a ship is a 'she' in the English language. The phrase, however, can be used by both males and females.
My Cousin pointed out that while the phrase is used in the sense "I am correct" the word "taisniba" means truth. So a literal translation is "I have (the) truth".
Which is correct? Depends on the context and situation.
A few years back.
One of my customers was informed by her sister that she was going on a religious mission to Latvia and needed some testimonials translated. Of course Caroline thought of me. I said sure, send them over (this was in the days before widespread e-mail). Once I received them and started reading them I realized that I did not have the specialized vocabulary to translate the testimonials. So I did what any person would do - I called my Mom. After a bit of explaining she said to send them to her and she'd ask the pastor at 'our' church** if he'd be willing to do the translation. He did and all was well.
This situation required a specific vocabulary and mode of expression which I did not have.
In my high school days:
A childhood friend and I were playing horseshoes while our Mothers were conversing over a cup of coffee. After a few games we needed a drink or snack or whatever and went into the house. One of the ladies casually asked what we were doing. As a child at home I spoke*** Latvian with my folks and any other elders. So I replied "Mes spelejam zirga kurpes." Literally translated "We were playing horse shoes." Both are mothers started laughing. Why? The item "horseshoe" is "pakavs" in Latvian. They were picturing - as they put it - a horse with tennis shoes on.
So literal translations are not always a good thing.
There's a moral (or maybe two) in here. Especially relevant in this global economy where not everyone speaks the same language. So that parties to a negotiation (trade, political, etc) have to rely on intermediaries who may not be familiar with the specific situation, may not have the specialized vocabulary, or may not be familiar with current colloquialisms.
gS.
* Properly called a diacritical mark. The Latvian language is 'easy' because letters and combinations of letters always sound the same. If you have the proper pronunciation you can spell the word. Or if you see it written you can pronounce it. No confusion between Polish (the nationality) and polish (to make something smooth and shiny).
** Not my church any longer for a number of reasons - not the least of which is moving away from the Chicago area. As a young man I spent many hours helping build the building. It was a very good apprenticeship. Which I appreciate now more than I did then (since the time spent building the church interfered with my 'social life'. A few more pictures here.
*** Even now I speak Latvian with Lativan elders (elders being defined as those older than I). I will speak Latvian with my peers, but not as regularly. Of course the assumption is that the people I'm speaking with also speak Latvian.
Of course there has to be background. As some of you know, I speak more or less fluent Latvian. Since I learned it as a 'trimdinieks' (a Latvian living outside of Latvia) there are current idiomatic expressions that I am not familiar with. Which doesn't really apply for these stories. The lesson to be learned is that translation is NOT an easy job without an extensive knowledge of the language.
The most recent.
Daughter Eldest (DE) made a comment on FaceBook about a phrase (Man ir taisniba.) only being correct for females. She did spell it correctly except for missing the 'long mark'* on the 'i' in 'tasiniba'. The word 'taisniba' is feminine in gender, much like a ship is a 'she' in the English language. The phrase, however, can be used by both males and females.
My Cousin pointed out that while the phrase is used in the sense "I am correct" the word "taisniba" means truth. So a literal translation is "I have (the) truth".
Which is correct? Depends on the context and situation.
A few years back.
One of my customers was informed by her sister that she was going on a religious mission to Latvia and needed some testimonials translated. Of course Caroline thought of me. I said sure, send them over (this was in the days before widespread e-mail). Once I received them and started reading them I realized that I did not have the specialized vocabulary to translate the testimonials. So I did what any person would do - I called my Mom. After a bit of explaining she said to send them to her and she'd ask the pastor at 'our' church** if he'd be willing to do the translation. He did and all was well.
This situation required a specific vocabulary and mode of expression which I did not have.
In my high school days:
A childhood friend and I were playing horseshoes while our Mothers were conversing over a cup of coffee. After a few games we needed a drink or snack or whatever and went into the house. One of the ladies casually asked what we were doing. As a child at home I spoke*** Latvian with my folks and any other elders. So I replied "Mes spelejam zirga kurpes." Literally translated "We were playing horse shoes." Both are mothers started laughing. Why? The item "horseshoe" is "pakavs" in Latvian. They were picturing - as they put it - a horse with tennis shoes on.
So literal translations are not always a good thing.
There's a moral (or maybe two) in here. Especially relevant in this global economy where not everyone speaks the same language. So that parties to a negotiation (trade, political, etc) have to rely on intermediaries who may not be familiar with the specific situation, may not have the specialized vocabulary, or may not be familiar with current colloquialisms.
gS.
* Properly called a diacritical mark. The Latvian language is 'easy' because letters and combinations of letters always sound the same. If you have the proper pronunciation you can spell the word. Or if you see it written you can pronounce it. No confusion between Polish (the nationality) and polish (to make something smooth and shiny).
** Not my church any longer for a number of reasons - not the least of which is moving away from the Chicago area. As a young man I spent many hours helping build the building. It was a very good apprenticeship. Which I appreciate now more than I did then (since the time spent building the church interfered with my 'social life'. A few more pictures here.
*** Even now I speak Latvian with Lativan elders (elders being defined as those older than I). I will speak Latvian with my peers, but not as regularly. Of course the assumption is that the people I'm speaking with also speak Latvian.