Saturday, October 24, 2020

On Reading in Translation


 If translating is necessary in order for me to read a book, I would much rather read the most recent translation than one that was written a century ago (unless a contemporary translation is available). My rational is that since the author was writing in the most up-to-date version of his language, at least I should be reading a version of the translation that reflects the most up-to-date version of the language I am reading in -- with the hope that the translator is working to find the joy and playfulness and love of language and story telling that the original represents.  
 

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