Thread: WOMEN & MEN - Does the gender matter when translating?

Originally Posted by eidjit

What do you think?
Do you see this in translating?
If a book written by a woman is translated by a man(and vice-versa), Does it lose part of it's essence by the choose of words?

Hi eidjit!

If the translator is a professional translator, then it shouldn't matter their gender. The main objective of literary translation is to portray the meaning the author originally intended. So, word choice is not motivated by gender, background or creed. Word choice is already given by the author. The translator just makes sure they use the correct word/phrase that would recreate that same idea in the target language and have the same impact in the target culture.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by agustinab

Hi eidjit!

If the translator is a professional translator, then it shouldn't matter their gender. The main objective of literary translation is to portray the meaning the author originally intended. So, word choice is not motivated by gender, background or creed. Word choice is already given by the author. The translator just makes sure they use the correct word/phrase that would recreate that same idea in the target language and have the same impact in the target culture.

Cheers!

I don't agree on this point with agustinab. While that's one way, and a valid way, to translate, it's not the only one. Borges used to say the best translators aren't shy about changing a text if need be, and that sometimes, translations can be quite different from the original. Perhaps that had a lot to do with him being both a writer and a translator, but I believe his point stands.

Also, when talking about the translation of poetry mainly, one has to make a conscious choice between keeping meaning or form and musicality. It's usually impossible to keep both, and usually the most important aspect is form, so, the translator is free to change the content as long as the rhyme and music is kept.

I have this problem all the time with Arabic translations for medical forms for instance, where the "you" can be translated as male, female, dual, or plural (4 options!!)!!!

Originally Posted by francot

I don't agree on this point with agustinab. While that's one way, and a valid way, to translate, it's not the only one. Borges used to say the best translators aren't shy about changing a text if need be, and that sometimes, translations can be quite different from the original. Perhaps that had a lot to do with him being both a writer and a translator, but I believe his point stands.

Also, when talking about the translation of poetry mainly, one has to make a conscious choice between keeping meaning or form and musicality. It's usually impossible to keep both, and usually the most important aspect is form, so, the translator is free to change the content as long as the rhyme and music is kept.

I do agree with you, francot, and that's precisely my point. Keeping the meaning and impact intended doesn't mean keeping the words. The words the author uses, give the translator hints of their intent and it's the translator's duty to reflect that intention into the target culture. How they do it, it's a diferent thing (and I don't think your gender determines they way you'd do it, keeping in line with eidjit's first question.)

Originally Posted by eidjit

I found another very interesting article!

https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/...-woman-english





The whole thing is worth it.

However, as human beings with their own opinions and points of view, you are welcome to disagree and/or agree.
What do you think about this? Agree or disagree?

Interesting read, eidjit.

Still, seems a bit contrived if you ask me. Nobody can deny women are portrayed as a sideshow to men, as passive characters and such, but hey, it came from the pen of a man in the golden age of misogyny.

When you read a book this ancient you kind of have to be aware you're not going to find a reflection of the values of our current times. Hence, this "alternative" translation, while valid, is hardly definitive.