SEELANGS Digest - 19-20 May 2010 (#2010-185)

[Josh Wilson]

I realize that these discussions tend be like those on religion - everyone
has their own opinion and isn't likely to adopt anyone else's any time soon.


However, I think your analogy here is flawed. 

Congratulating the doctor for a diagnosis is much more like congratulating a
translator for having done his research and having carefully read and
understood the book. Certainly nothing you don't go to the professional
expecting as a bare minimum. 

Congratulating the translator for having beautifully completed his/her task
is more like congratulating the doctor who completes a surgery that gives a
patient a new lease on life (or at least in the case of translator, a lease
on a new, different life). In this case you would likely feel the need to at
least thank the doctor.... 

The analogy is of course still flawed - there is much art that goes into
diagnosis - still more into treatment - but if you want "the basic function
of 'translation'" I suggest you read bablefish rather than Robert Chandler. 

Just another two cents on top of the millions...



Josh Wilson
Assistant Director
The School of Russian and Asian Studies
Editor in Chief
Vestnik, The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies
SRAS.org 
jwilson at sras.org






-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of STEPHEN PEARL
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 1:06 AM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] SEELANGS Digest - 19-20 May 2010 (#2010-185)

The point of my comment on Monday, 24th. May  must have got lost in the
wash, or perhaps it was worded too obliquely. 
 
What astounded me was the idea that no particular translator, but any
translator, anywhere or at an any time, or between any two
languages, should be commended - let alone extolled - for simply performing
the basic function of "translation", namely working from, or basing the
finshed product on, the text of the original. It would be like commending a
[medical] doctor for actually taking the trouble to examine the patient
before producing a diagnosis.
 
                   Stephen Pearl

--- On Wed, 5/26/10, SEELANGS automatic digest system <LISTSERV at bama.ua.edu>
wrote:


From: SEELANGS automatic digest system <LISTSERV at bama.ua.edu>
Subject: SEELANGS Digest - 25 May 2010 (#2010-185)
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 1:00 AM


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------