tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125325709844932289.post1473912050715149315..comments2023-09-07T07:16:10.305-04:00Comments on Flights of Fantasy: Language and translationMarian Pererahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700524210146863718noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125325709844932289.post-45436269247678744922009-10-16T20:52:44.748-04:002009-10-16T20:52:44.748-04:00@Marian
Yes! That scene! I was torn between being...@Marian<br /><br />Yes! That scene! I was torn between being shocked at the language and giggling manically at the situation. Have I mentioned how much I love Dany?<br /><br />A Dance of Dragons... I can't begin to say how much I've missed Tyrion. And Dany. And Arya... poor Arya. :(<br /><br />If you haven't yet discovered Joe Abercrombie, though, you can console yourself with some of his 'First Law' series-- very much in the same vein, and GRRM really liked his work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125325709844932289.post-68633971603137152822009-10-15T18:22:45.751-04:002009-10-15T18:22:45.751-04:00elizaw - you mean the scene in A Storm of Swords w...elizaw - you mean the scene in <i>A Storm of Swords</i> where Dany inspects the Unsullied? It was so much fun to read, with the poor translator walking a fine line between rendering the spirit of the slaver's words but not the letter of them. <br /><br />And that makes me wonder when <i>A Dance of Dragons</i> is coming out... :(Marian Pererahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15700524210146863718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125325709844932289.post-30020814089186775332009-10-15T18:19:27.838-04:002009-10-15T18:19:27.838-04:00Hi Maria,
I forgot about the method of putting fo...Hi Maria,<br /><br />I forgot about the method of putting foreign words into a glossary at the back. One SF book which does this is Diane Duane's <i>Star Trek</i> novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743403703?ie=UTF8&tag=httpmarianpeb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743403703" rel="nofollow">The Romulan Way (Star Trek, No 35/Rihannsu Book 2)</a>. <br /><br />Making the intent of the word clear sounds like a good idea. IMO, the worst place to put a translation would be in the middle of a tense confrontation or battle scene - even if this didn't slow down the pace, it might remind the readers that they're <i>reading</i>.Marian Pererahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15700524210146863718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125325709844932289.post-17653185111531199302009-10-15T11:53:00.678-04:002009-10-15T11:53:00.678-04:00I've used other languages, mostly Japanese or ...I've used other languages, mostly Japanese or Spanish. I only translate for the benefit of other characters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125325709844932289.post-80785634219903171622009-10-15T01:17:14.924-04:002009-10-15T01:17:14.924-04:00Translated text, then re-translated text. All Engl...Translated text, then re-translated text. All English.<br /><br />GRRM once did this to great effect; the pov character spoke the native tongue, but did not let on when she had her interview with a rich slaver.<br /><br />The slaver brought a translator, insulted the pov character up and down; lewd suggestions, mockeries, you name it. And then the translator would take the overall meaning and turn it polite and respectful.<br /><br />It's not quite the same, but it's well worth mentioning while we're veering near the subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125325709844932289.post-30298264074637395472009-10-14T23:38:21.831-04:002009-10-14T23:38:21.831-04:00I can't help with the language (I think you co...I can't help with the language (I think you covered it well!), but Becca is a master of introducing foreign words in fantasy for things in the world. She does it seamlessly by offering a few key details as the character interacts with it, and the word for it comes up either in dialogue or thoughts/pov so it's clear how the dots are connected.Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125325709844932289.post-50939823047006923122009-10-14T14:29:21.557-04:002009-10-14T14:29:21.557-04:00I'm glad you chose this topic, Marian. I'v...I'm glad you chose this topic, Marian. I've often wondered what was the least conspicuous method for using a foreign language.<br /><br />I have a historical novel I'm editing now that uses a smattering of Spanish, Portuguese and French. The various characters are part of a pirate crew and their pursuers. <br /><br />I try to be obvious with the intent of the word, rather than translate a word or phrase. <br /><br />Only once when a long phrase was supposed to be said in French, did I write it out in English, with the narrator mentioning that it was spoken in French. In effect, the MC was translating what she heard.<br /><br />I get a little annoyed as a reader if there is too much of a foreign language embedded in the story. I don't want to have to stop and figure out what was said. The intent is good enough for me.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.com