I have decided to write an entry in English, but I have no idea of what to write about. I had a few ideas, but they only make sense in the Japanese language; if you translate it, somehow it comes out rather anemic.
I wonder if this is normal.
I imagine that every culture has things that can only really be conveyed in a particular language. Every language, in reverse, must be intimately tied into the culture that nurished it. There are certain nuances that simply defy translation without a lengthy explanation. And by the time the explanation is over, the "marrow" of the original message has long since dessicated into a lifeless mass. Anyone who has mastered a second language past primary school level must understand what I'm speaking of. I've read Shakespeare in Japanese, and let me tell you, the English is much better.
I remember some years ago reading about some guy who wrote a book about Japan first in Japanese, and then translated his own book into English. I think he was American, but I do remember that he felt disappointed with his English translation. At the time, I had only started learning Japanese, so I couldn't understand what he could possibly be talking about. After all, English was his mother tongue, for heaven's sake. Nowadays, though, I understand completely.
He should have written it in English from scratch.
I wonder if this is normal.
I imagine that every culture has things that can only really be conveyed in a particular language. Every language, in reverse, must be intimately tied into the culture that nurished it. There are certain nuances that simply defy translation without a lengthy explanation. And by the time the explanation is over, the "marrow" of the original message has long since dessicated into a lifeless mass. Anyone who has mastered a second language past primary school level must understand what I'm speaking of. I've read Shakespeare in Japanese, and let me tell you, the English is much better.
I remember some years ago reading about some guy who wrote a book about Japan first in Japanese, and then translated his own book into English. I think he was American, but I do remember that he felt disappointed with his English translation. At the time, I had only started learning Japanese, so I couldn't understand what he could possibly be talking about. After all, English was his mother tongue, for heaven's sake. Nowadays, though, I understand completely.
He should have written it in English from scratch.
MO さんの投稿 投稿時:
7:45 午後
8 件のコメント:
I too am finding myself discovering the true rigors of interlingual issues. Before I came to Japan, I wondered just how Japanese people could read and write English yet not be able to speak it, but from the troubles I've had learning Japanese, I think I can understand much better how this is possible.
Yes, one of the problems with translation is source language interference (at least for me it is; I assume others have the same problem). It certainly does yield some unsavory "translationese" sometimes. That holds for any work, no matter who originally wrote it. I wonder, though, is it any worse if it's your own creation? Hmm...
That's the reason why I don't like translated works and was never able to appreciate French and German literature.
Related to this, I personally have great doubts about whether Japanese Nobel laureates really deserved the recognition they gained. I personally think that Yukio Mishima would have deserved it though (if only he decided not to commit suicide!). I think at least half of the prize and recognition should have gone to their translators.
I find it stange how you are having trouble conveying yourself in another language. I don't fully understand how this can be. I have heard of bad translations, but I always thought that fell upon the translator. I hope to experience the "translation blues." I want to feel what it's like.
Well, some words convey a certain connotation that simply doesn't exist in another language. Also, some things in Japanese are written in a way that makes them utterly impossible to translate without making them into something much more clunky and unweildy than they really ought to be. In particular, there are 4 kanji phrases that can say a mouthful in just four characters. Translating this into English can be done, but it just "feels" different to read it.
It works both ways, though. There are things in English that are next to impossible to translate into Japanese. For example, "I miss you". There is a Japanese way to say this, but it just lacks something that is in the English. At least, this is how I feel.
hehe, i think learning a second language properly opens a new window from yourself to the world.
Its a different way to intereact with the world around you, a different way to see things, and a different way to think and know things.
There can be no perfect translations
はじめまして、Mikawa ossan。
epigeneさんに紹介していただいて、
ときどき密かにおじゃましてます。
この間、「となりのトトロ」を見ながらこの映画の英語版を見てみたいと思いました。隣のおばあちゃんのセリフがどう翻訳されているか、あのおばあちゃんの持っている雰囲気がどう英語で表現されているのかしりたかったからです。
もっとも、英語で表されているセリフのニュアンスを私が理解できるかどうかはわからないんですけどね。^^;
日本語で失礼しました！
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