Translating "Stakes"

[trovia]

Me and fellow translators kit_kat_2006 and mondenengel decided to talk some about our translations so to improve on our work. So here are a couple of notes on translating "Stakes." I hope this is interesting for those of you who're learning German too

Comments

[trovia]

First of all, I think it's good you were the first one of us to do this because now we have an idea what you wanted it to look like.

Right. You realize that I don't actually have any authority whatsoever, right? :D Because there's nothing wrong with doing it differently if you want to do that.

Gaeta's smirk: I think it's easier if I translate one of my own stories because I have a very specific idea of how the characters should come across. I can switch and have them do something different that is also in character although it conveys a different message. Incidentally, I make this kind of changes a lot when I translate.

Heh, I like the "verständnislos" as a substitute for blinking. Thanks! See? Improving already. :)

Where did the stress in the last excerpt go? D: Is there a specific reason you didn't copy the structure of the English version to keep a similar stress in the German one?

I don't like using stresses to divide clauses in German. I did that a couple of times recently but I feel that it's often distracting, and it often doesn't feel natural. It's a rather new thing to do as well - probably an anglicism on some level. It changes the feel of the line a lot, doesn't it? Like, English Chuckles savors the moment while German Chuckles is cool and relaxed about it. I like it better in English but I don't think I'd like the stress in German.

(... I think I don't feel like doing this anymore. You're way too good, I don't want to be compared. xD)

You're way to humble. You're excellent, as we are all. Now we just have to grow even more excellent. :D

[mondenengel]

Um... right. I think I'm developing an inferiority complex if you keep insisting on excellency and me being connected.

I guess the thing with the stress is personal taste. :) But now I'll definitely think about it a lot more if I stumble across a similar case.

I think necessary changes (like the 'smirk'-instance, for example) are really harder if you're not translating your own story. Translation is based so much on interpretation as it is but there are enough moments when the translation doesn't feel right to me and I'm struggling with words because it comes across so differently from what it feels like in my mind. (And this is also why one should know the whole story before starting a translation because only then do you get a feel - my personal opinion.)

Hmm. You'll very probably get me to be more daring with my translations. I'll judge later if that's a good thing or not.

[trovia]

Well, this one is more of a rewrite than a mere translation. But I did teach myself to be quite liberal when I translate. I feel that the writers would prefer a good story over a literal translation. Whenever I translate rather literally, I end up thinking that the result is clumsy, lacking a distinctive tone. I often translate and then, in a second step I edit without comparing with the original text.

I agree that you should know the whole story, or at least have a good idea about the fic before you start translating. It's all about inventing a new tone of voice and sticking to it, isn't it? You can't ever keep the writing style of the original.

[mondenengel]

You're probably right. And after your comment to the snippet of translation in my journal I'm thinking more than ever that I need to really go over it a second time. First time. Whatever. Edit it. ^.^''

I need to get back into the swing of translating. I feel embarassed. -.- I'm glad I know you. :)