Translation

I like what she has to say about the subject, especially what she had to say about there sometimes being ten ways of translating a portion of text, and how the translator must choose which way best conveys the author's sense.

Ah, the self-importance of the professional translator. Why doesn't she just write a novel?

I agree with Edith Grossman. Both translators and interpreters are undervalued and underpaid, as I have argued previously on this forum.

#2 completely misses the point.

It bugs me no end when employers expect staff with language skills to translate, even if the staff have no professional translation experience (speaking/reading and writing other languages doesn't qualify you to translate). And they almost always expect it to be carried out in addition to the regular workload, with no extra time allowances or remuneration offered. And they don't seem to get the golden rule of only translating into your native language(s).

I haven't missed the point, ralph. I just don't agree with it. Translation is a craft, not an art.

Tony, to continue a theme in the article, why doesn't the Julliard quartet compose their own music instead of playing someone else's?

why doesn't the Julliard quartet compose their own music instead of playing someone else's?

Because they're not good enough at composing music, of course.

#5
There's no clear border between the two. Plenty of translators are way closer to art than Barbara Cartland. Architects are also tricky.

Plenty of translators are way closer to art than Barbara Cartland.

You're scraping the barrel there, igor!