Marquez and translation
EEver73319 (EEver73319@aol.com)
Tue, 27 Jan 1998 01:37:11 -0500 (EST)
In a message dated 98-01-27 01:03:31 EST, you write:
<< I just can't get past that. I've only read a couple translated novels but I
don't like the idea at all. I always feel like I'm not getting the real
deal. Like I must be missing out on all the little beautiful languagey
details that can only be read in the language it was written in originally.
Imagine telling someone who doesn't speak english to read a translation of
Catcher in the Rye. It would worry me to death. I know the "plot" would be
the same but would it be the same book? I don't know. I doubt it.
Anyway, that bothers me and I wonder if I'm the only one... >>
David,
Yes, the whole idea of translation in novels worries me too. I'm currently
reader Brothers Karamazov, and the translation I'm reading bugs me. I've seen
other translations that look much better...<sigh> Ohh well. However, I
couldn't even tell 100 Years of Solitude was a translation. The translator in
my version, Gregory Rabassa, did a wonderful job in my view. I haven't read
any other Marquez, but can tell from this translation what his writing style
is like. Rabassa uses very specific words, but doesn't try to make the text
beautiful with big majestic words when Marquez doesn't intend so. Obviously
I'm just guessing at this...as I can't read Spanish too well and don't have a
copy of the original text. :) I guess my I'm just telling you to read the
book anyway. It had a profound impact on me...actually it was the end of the
novel that had a profound effect. The rest of the book was good, but the end
was OHH MY GOD....so when you start it, please don't be discouraged right away
if you don't like it...please don't. Read it all the way through, and if you
don't like it AFTER reading the whole thing...well...I'll give you a free
subscription of Life magazine so you can be like Seymour after the analysts
got to him. :)
Happy reading,
Eric