1. What is your favourite translated book? Is there a book that you would like to see translated?
2. What makes a good translation?
3. Have you read any translated works that are better than their originals?
4. George Borrow said: "Translation is at best an echo." Do you agree?
5. Have you translated any texts yourself?
6. What role does translation play in foreign language learning?
7. If you were to write your autobiography, who would you want to translate it into English? For the audiobook version, who would you want to do the reading?
8. Can male translators effectively translate the work of female authors and vice-versa? Can you think of any successful examples?
Read article here: Lost In Translation Reading
9. What is your reaction? Is it impossible to translate something if you don't share the same race/gender?
10. Who is at fault here: the publisher, Rijneveld, or activists on social media? Has the right decision been reached?
11. Which statement do you agree with most?
a) Translation is based on differences: by definition, what you are translating to should be different.
b) Human experience cannot be adequately explained using linguistics.
12. If you answered 'yes' to question 4 (above), were any socio-cultural issues involved in your translation? How did you circumnavigate them?
13. Are we powerless if social media says 'no' to something? Do you know of any instances where someone has successfully resisted pressure from online activists?
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Situation
The autobiography of your favourite Russian writer has finally been published in English. You have purchased a copy, but on reading it, you found several glaring differences (you decide which) between the Russian and English versions - many other Russians have been on social media to comment on this. The publishers of the book are holding a live Facebook event with the translator, your teacher. Ask him about some of the concerns that you have with the translation.
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Mistranslations
Go to page here: Mistranslations
Scroll down to part 5, 'Various Other Signs from Around the World...', choose 5/6 of them and tell me why they are 'funny'.
Student Handout PDF: Lost In Translation