After reading R.F. Kuang’s Babel, or the Necessity of Violence, her point of translation as an act of betrayal was on my mind for days. Is it more important to stay loyal to exact meanings or should translators put more emphasis on getting the same message across but with different words? As literature is up to the reader’s interpretation, what the translator perceived could deviate greatly from what a casual reader would—so how much of what you read is what the writer actually meant? Moreover, some slang and idioms in foreign languages don’t even have an exact meaning in English. Thus, the writing fails to convey the same feelings that the word evokes in its native tongue, making the translation less accurate. Another heavily debated point focuses on how much the original author’s style carries through the translation. Would the critical tone of Babel come across the same in French or in Thai? English translations often sound flat to me, like a Siri-read book summary rather than natural writing, but I’m sure the diction doesn’t sound like that in the original language. Such factors are only a portion of what translators have to consider when translating.
Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey drew attention for its more negative description of Odysseus’s actions on his journey home. In her edition, Wilson maintained the iambic pentameter but decreased the number of lines. As a result, she had to shorten translated words to fit her desired format, likely causing her to exclude some of Homer’s writing. While the Greek language has many words for service persons, Wilson often defaults to simply calling them slaves in her efforts to satisfy the number of lines. As the translator, it is their responsibility to disclose how faithful they have been to the original text.
Ultimately, a good translation will find a happy medium, balancing style and feeling with direct translations. Consuming books originating in different languages leads to a more well-rounded view of literature and can change our perspective on life, but remember to check the credibility of the translator to ensure you are getting the best experience.