2008/05/15 Venice
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Translation

Typewriter

The last time I was in Trieste was in the summer of 2001. I biked a lot with my girlfriend and I bought a typewriter. In 2001 I was still typing my columns on a typewriter while traveling abroad. I would fax these articles then to the magazine or newspaper – a romantic but not very practical habit.
The students in Trieste were fairly silent except maybe for Valentina and her boyfriend Marco, and Paola who cried before she gave a presentation about the reception of my work in Italy. (The professor told me that Paola has the habit of crying a lot. No relation between Italian reviews and her tears.)
The students discovered that my editor at Instar Libri edited the Italian translation of “The Asylum Seeker” in such a manner that often a correct translation was turned into a wrong translation; once he went so far that the meaning of a sentence changed dramatically.
Maybe this was an exception, maybe not. I will do some research to find out.


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14 comments Last_comment
@Arnon, an acquaintance we by chance happen to share in Dublin mentioned something similar regarding the translation to English of the Jewish Messias, I'll email Johannes her name, maybe you could check with her too? I'm not sure many people dare be honest with you about such sensitive matters, but she seems like the kind of person that would if you asked her to be honest.
said noa fenenga 15/05/2008 01:11 • x
If the words in translation are already lost, imagine how people can interpret a whole book.
Translation should be considered an act of confidence even of intimacy.
said Jan Thys 15/05/2008 07:18 • x
Translation isn't that easy
They need more credit.
said Dens Powells 15/05/2008 07:43 • x
Noa
I believe the translation of The Jewish Messiah is pretty accurate.
said Arnon Grunberg 15/05/2008 07:55 • x
Dens
Please red carefully; it's not the translator who made mistakes. Although translators make some mistakes sometimes as well. Sometimes even authors make mistakes.
said Arnon Grunberg 15/05/2008 07:59 • x
To David Martino
I thank you kindly for the comment that you addressed to me. It is nice to know, that my questions, and, or observations don’t leave you indifferent. As you know indifference can be quite offensive.
I sense an amount of agitation in your remark of which the reason escapes me. Could you be more elaborate on your hostile feelings?
(Please take note, that I lack outspoken feelings towards you or other visitors of this website. )
said Pjötr Nembkow 15/05/2008 13:15 • x
To Arnon
Does each translation come along with secondary editing?
said Pjötr Nembkow 15/05/2008 13:17 • x
Pjötr
I hope so. It's reasonable to assume that an editor is reading the translation before it's going into print.
said Arnon Grunberg 15/05/2008 13:33 • x
Pjötr
Did I miss someting? I don't see any comments by David Martino.
said Arnon Grunberg 15/05/2008 13:35 • x
To Arnon
See under 'Two'
said Pjötr Nembkow 15/05/2008 14:46 • x
Yes, Mr. Arnon, the editor did the changes, but that's a bit of a lack of confidence in the translator, no?
I don't think author' can't make mistakes. The author is dead, isn't he?
said Dens Powells 15/05/2008 17:45 • x
Pjötr
I just wanted to put your comment in a perspective.
No feelings towards other commentators? Do you think the others here are not worthy enough?
I don't know if you have noticed this but you talk to me as if you are my dad or even my high school teacher.
said David Martino 15/05/2008 23:51 • x
...
uhm... well, yeah that's a pretty accurate rendition of what happened. That was one of the moments when an invisibility cloak like Harry Potter's would do the trick. I usually wait until I am in a crowded and inappropriate place and possibly in front of a person who doesn't see it coming before I burst into tears. More than an habit I would call it an art. And I don't do it that often either , I just save my special gift for very special occasions. Anyway, I'm flattered I won the special mention competition in your blog against all the things that happened to you while in Trieste. Again, have a safe trip to and back.
said Paola Valli 18/05/2008 13:21 (Updated 13:24) • x
Paola
If you come to NY step by for wine and food.
said Arnon Grunberg 20/05/2008 18:07 • x
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