Monday, April 04, 2005
Lost in Translation.
You know, the English language is very cold. You lose a lot of the colour and feel of a play when you translate it into natural english. It just isn't the same when you have a greek (or Persian) wailing
"Atatatatai!" and beating his breast, and the English reader saying "Oh."
The line I am currently translating is a good example. The entire Persian army has been destroyed; the queen has foreseen it in a dream, and now as learnt her dream is true. She is utterly wretched, miserable, hopeless....
Queen: How the utter destruction of our host distresses me!
Gosh, said Edward. She must be upset.
I've done just over 80 lines, for the record. In 3 hours. I've also hung out laundry, attempted [and failed miserably] my maths, and made my eye appointment. And played cards.
You know, the English language is very cold. You lose a lot of the colour and feel of a play when you translate it into natural english. It just isn't the same when you have a greek (or Persian) wailing
"Atatatatai!" and beating his breast, and the English reader saying "Oh."
The line I am currently translating is a good example. The entire Persian army has been destroyed; the queen has foreseen it in a dream, and now as learnt her dream is true. She is utterly wretched, miserable, hopeless....
Queen: How the utter destruction of our host distresses me!
Gosh, said Edward. She must be upset.
I've done just over 80 lines, for the record. In 3 hours. I've also hung out laundry, attempted [and failed miserably] my maths, and made my eye appointment. And played cards.
