How many times have you traveled to another country that speaks a different language than you do? How many times have you relied on Google Translator to have a middle ground with your international friends and be able to carry on the conversation?
Ok, now imagine that but with books. I know… it blew my mind too.
“Translating is always about making sacrifices; however, nothing essential should be sacrificed.”
– Enrique Diez-Canedo
Translation and its importance
Translation has helped us shape society, to see things differently. To work out our brains and to have more patience. As nations and as individuals, we have a critical need for understanding and have some insight.
I'm so grateful to translators. They have made it possible to read on my own language international authors (since I'm not a native English speaker). The work of translators is crucial, and the world depends on them. Just imagine if world leaders only spoke their first language? It would be madness when they sit down to discuss any topic.
And even between the same countries. Each region has its unique language. An example could be when two areas have a different name than an object. Even if it is the same object.
Some jokes lose their identity and jokiness when you translate them. Does the same happen with books? Absolutely.
When I was young, I used to only read in Spanish. This was because I didn't know English. Now that I can carry on a conversation for more than 5 minutes (or so I think). And I'm able to read a whole book in English, I can realize how important it is to have a well-translated book. For example. When I did a reread of my favorite books in English, I realized how many errors and mistakes in Spanish had, how some jokes had to be changed completely. I can't imagine the perfect translation of these books, even in English, considering that they are in German.
Language is highly loaded with symbolic meaning. So the text must be accurate enough to the original text. Each written work contains the author's soul. So when you translate it and replace the real thing, it loses its way and meaning. I'm not saying translations are bad, just that it's hard to capture the same vibe as the original one. Cultural metaphors, jokes, and words, in general, have a sense of belonging in each region, in each language. So when you change it to another language, that part is lost.
So many books have different editions and translations because maybe one translator didn't get one part, but another did. And so on, each translation loses a bit of the original part. Is it possible that if we combine all the translated editions, this is the closest to the original?
Not all novels translated are bad. Mainly will depend on the person who does it, the language it's translated to, the cultural background, etc.
In the last few years, I have only read in English. Because I prefer to read in the original language of the author. That way, I don't miss the cultural jokes and meanings. Although by doing so, I must be very focused while I read, as I don't always get the "inside joke. Or have to read twice the paragraph that describes something in specific and with many details (as my English is not perfect haha).
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my language. I believe Spanish is so poetic and has magic in itself. Every language has its beauty. But what I'm trying to say is that the books I've read in English and their translated version in Spanish are not really good. Hence why I prefer to read the original version. If a book is in a language I do not know, I will read its translated version. And probably, will not realize how much has changed from the original. It would be a dream come true if overnight I could read any book in its original language and understand every single thing. But that's as likely as if someday a lost Fae King comes and asks me to marry him haha.
My Conclusions?
When translating a book, you are not only translating the words, but also the emotions. For example, in Spanish, when you want to define something as extremely sweet (person/food) we say "empalagar". It doesn't have a specific translation, but the closest meaning would be "sickly sweet".
This is why it's complex to express and translate emotions across different languages. But don't get too disappointed if you don't get the literal translation, as translators will try to do their best job. And you'll get the general idea of it.
Translation matters. It always has been and will continue to be. We need to remember that even if the translation is somewhat inadequate, it is not the author's or translator's fault. Some words only exist in one language, wordplay, which only makes sense in some regions. It is the only way to connect us. To make it possible that nations and people alike can understand and get the same knowledge.
So, it would be naive to think there is a perfect translation. One that is precise as its original work. But keep reading, either in the original language of the book or the translated version. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter.
We read because we like to escape reality. Because it makes us feel butterflies in our stomachs. Because it makes us cry uncontrollably. Because it makes us better people. And, the best part, it allows us to find international friends with whom we can talk endlessly about them.
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