Tolkien Translations

[Guinevere]

Earendilyon: The word for potatoes in German is "Kartoffeln", but in Swiss dialect "Härdöpfel" which is the same as the French "pommes de terre".

But I am still not happy with the Translation of the names. As Tolkien wrote

this is an English book and its Englishry should not be eradicated. That the Hobbits actually spoke an ancient language of their own is of course a pseudo-historical assertion made necessary by the nature of the narrative

The New German translation by W. Krege goes even farther: not only translating the Place- and Personal Names of the Hobbits but changing their style of speech so that they speak a slang like the young people in Germany TODAY - which results in destroying not only the local colour but the whole atmosphere.

What do you think about these examples:

(About Gandalf) "G for Grand!" They shouted and the old man smiled.

is rendered as: "G wie g...!" riefen sie und der Alte grinste.

g... can only mean "geil", a rude word which teenagers nowadays use if they're enthusiastic. Why else should they print 3 dots?
"Der Alte" is much less respectful than "Der alte Mann" (as it should be.) And finally "grinste" means "grinned"! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

About Galadriel speaking to Sam before he looks into the mirror:

"Like as not" said the Lady with a gentle laugh. is rendered as:
"Na klar!" sagte die hohe Frau leise kichernd. kichernd = giggling ! [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

It really pains me to read such things! And to think of all those young readers who ONLY know this version!! It's a crime in my eyes. [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img]

[ October 25, 2003: Message edited by: Guinevere ]