Tolkien Translations - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Guinevere · 05-31-2010, 01:04 PM

Thank you for reviving my old thread, Pitchwife and PrinceOfTheHalflings!

I think my aversion to the German tranlation(s) and nomenklatura stem from the fact that I read the books first in English, and as an adult.
But I understand very well that, if somebody read and loved the translated version as a teenager, this first impression will remain dear to the heart.
(Btw, if the Shire should represent not "Englishness" but "homeliness" then for me the Hobbits should speak Swiss Dialect!

In "Quotes in other languages" I did translate some Hobbit Quotes to my dialect. Orcs speech also works, but never the noble speech of Elves or Gondorians.)

Pitchwife · 05-31-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinevere

Btw, if the Shire should represent not "Englishness" but "homeliness" then for me the Hobbits should speak Swiss Dialect!

And why not?

After all, the Prof himself said (in Appendix F II) that

Quote:

Hobbits indeed spoke for the most part a rustic dialect.

(Although I wonder whether Schwyzerdütsch shouldn't be more properly considered a language in its own right rather than a dialect...

)

Orofarne · 06-01-2010, 12:58 PM

I found the Spanish translation somewhere, and I have been reading it off and on. After getting used to the shock of seeing one's favorite character say the kind of snarly sentence that is the nightmare of anyone speaking in their second language, I did notice some inconsistencies.
1) The poetry didn't rhyme. I suppose this is a good thing, but it is a shade disconserting.
2) Strider was Trancos. My dictionary says this means 'trunk'.
3) When I was reading both the translation and the original simotaneaously, I noticed that the sentences were not in the right order, which might confuse persons who only read the translation.
The translation was fun, but I'd cast my vote in favor of the real one.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 06-06-2010, 02:43 PM

I think for the interested parties, this thread had a similar topic - and it was one I enjoyed a lot...

Galadriel55 · 06-04-2011, 10:02 AM

I first read LOTR in Russian, and I must say that I enjoyed - and still enjoy - it very much. I have a good translation that does not lose the book's charm. Some dialogue is changed a bit, but it is done to keep the spirit of the words intact. The language reflects the speaker/race, just like in the original, and it's archaic and just sounds beautiful.

On the other hand, I read a translation of The Sil, and it was the worst thing ever written. It sounded like an instruction book to a computer game.

It really depends on the translation.

The Sil for me is only in English. I know it in English. But there are 2 LOTRs for me. I don't favour either one; they are both equally good, but there is just a slight difference.

HerenIstarion · 06-04-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I first read LOTR in Russian, and I must say that I enjoyed - and still enjoy - it very much. I have a good translation that does not lose the book's charm. Some dialogue is changed a bit, but it is done to keep the spirit of the words intact. The language reflects the speaker/race, just like in the original, and it's archaic and just sounds beautiful.

I'd assume that would be Муравьев-Кистяковский one?

Galadriel55 · 06-04-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerenIstarion

I'd assume that would be Муравьев-Кистяковский one?

That's the one!

How did you know? Are you also Russian?

05-31-2010, 01:04 PM	#1
Guinevere Banshee of Camelot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,830	Thank you for reviving my old thread, Pitchwife and PrinceOfTheHalflings! I think my aversion to the German tranlation(s) and nomenklatura stem from the fact that I read the books first in English, and as an adult. But I understand very well that, if somebody read and loved the translated version as a teenager, this first impression will remain dear to the heart. (Btw, if the Shire should represent not "Englishness" but "homeliness" then for me the Hobbits should speak Swiss Dialect! In "Quotes in other languages" I did translate some Hobbit Quotes to my dialect. Orcs speech also works, but never the noble speech of Elves or Gondorians.) __________________ Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat!

06-01-2010, 12:58 PM	#3
Orofarne Pile O'Bones Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Dancing alone in the madness Posts: 19	I found the Spanish translation somewhere, and I have been reading it off and on. After getting used to the shock of seeing one's favorite character say the kind of snarly sentence that is the nightmare of anyone speaking in their second language, I did notice some inconsistencies. 1) The poetry didn't rhyme. I suppose this is a good thing, but it is a shade disconserting. 2) Strider was Trancos. My dictionary says this means 'trunk'. 3) When I was reading both the translation and the original simotaneaously, I noticed that the sentences were not in the right order, which might confuse persons who only read the translation. The translation was fun, but I'd cast my vote in favor of the real one. __________________ ____________ Look my friends, here's a pretty Hobbit skin to wrap an Elven princeling in!

06-06-2010, 02:43 PM	#4
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	I think for the interested parties, this thread had a similar topic - and it was one I enjoyed a lot... __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

06-04-2011, 10:02 AM	#5
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,314	I first read LOTR in Russian, and I must say that I enjoyed - and still enjoy - it very much. I have a good translation that does not lose the book's charm. Some dialogue is changed a bit, but it is done to keep the spirit of the words intact. The language reflects the speaker/race, just like in the original, and it's archaic and just sounds beautiful. On the other hand, I read a translation of The Sil, and it was the worst thing ever written. It sounded like an instruction book to a computer game. It really depends on the translation. The Sil for me is only in English. I know it in English. But there are 2 LOTRs for me. I don't favour either one; they are both equally good, but there is just a slight difference. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera