tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post5529814964105289101..comments2024-03-25T03:02:08.418-07:00Comments on Translation Times: Source Text BluesJudy Jenner and Dagmar Jennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15991071510108619107noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post-19091412315120109822013-03-12T09:09:11.575-07:002013-03-12T09:09:11.575-07:00@Caroline: Absolutely, if the ST will also be publ...@Caroline: Absolutely, if the ST will also be published, then we think it's a great idea to include comments on the source text as well (tactfully). Some clients might not like that, and they might rightfully claim that the source text is in the translator's B language, but an extra set of eyes to catch typos is always beneficial. We've been known to include a short list of source text errors with a note telling the client "to use this information as you see fit." So, to answer your question: our thoughts are that it's fine to point out obvious errors as long as you do so nicely. That said, there will always be some clients who are very happy about that feedback, while others might not be (perhaps because they don't have time to fix the ST, perhaps because they don't like unsolicited feedback), but if the client mentions that the ST will also be published, it's probably a good idea to go the extra mile. Thanks for reading and for commenting!Judy Jenner and Dagmar Jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15991071510108619107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post-86489955762613088022013-03-10T21:11:29.670-07:002013-03-10T21:11:29.670-07:00Sometimes I get source texts that the foreign clie...Sometimes I get source texts that the foreign client has partially written in his own version of English, and I can't understand them. When I get these, I may pretend I think they're translations and request that the project manager ask the client for the German original (or Czech or French) because I don't understand the "translation". Sometimes, on ongoing projects, I have to ask the agency to request that the whoever is writing the stuff write in his own language, because I just couldn't understand the English.<br /><br />One of the times I wonder if I'm seeing bad writing or if I don't understand is when German writers use German and English synonyms, or Germanisms and Latinisms right next to each other, such as "automatisch und selbsttätig" or "herunterladen oder downloaden". I always wonder if the person who wrote those sees a different nuance to each word.<br />James Kirchnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post-67150627387842684722013-03-09T23:22:55.046-08:002013-03-09T23:22:55.046-08:00Spot on. But I have been known to offer my editing...Spot on. But I have been known to offer my editing services to clients when the mistakes were blatant (there/they're/their; which/what/who). But only in those situations.Gio Lesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704740118364244449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post-53663466308764965532013-03-05T14:15:52.439-08:002013-03-05T14:15:52.439-08:00If the source text is equivocal or ambiguous in ce...If the source text is equivocal or ambiguous in certain parts or contains errors, then it's important to point it out (tactfully).<br /><br />This may be as a service to help the client improve their text (if the client's organisation is responsible for it). Perhaps more importantly, it will also serve to highlight and justify the need for a translation that departs from the original.Oliver Lawrencehttp://www.proz.com/translator/861452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post-971791960596291372013-03-05T12:55:05.536-08:002013-03-05T12:55:05.536-08:00I don't think I've ever commented on the w...I don't think I've ever commented on the writing style of a source text, except where I have had to ask for a clarification, but I do point out any typos and spelling mistakes in the source text if it is a marketing text. In this case, I assume that the ST will be published too, and I expect clients to be happy for the extra proofreading. In fact, I feel that I am missing out on an opportunity to be proactive when I forget to mention such errors. What is your view on commenting on this type of mistake, as opposed to stylistic 'mistakes'?Caroline Durantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post-10311189114492661632013-03-05T08:53:05.404-08:002013-03-05T08:53:05.404-08:00@Elisabet: Ah, very good point about the way clien...@Elisabet: Ah, very good point about the way clients/deponents/witnesses/patients express themselves. Judy is a court-certified interpreter, and here in the US, it's all about maintaining register. Very challenging indeed. For medical interpreting, which we don't do, it's a whole different ball game. There's lots of discussion going on in the medical interpreter certification world -- should the medical interpreter just be a conduit or a cultural broker? Or even an advocate? No easy answers... Thanks for commenting!<br /><br />@LJ: Thanks for reading and for commenting. Excellent point about grateful clients. We've had that once in a while, too, although usually the text that we translate will be published, and not the source text. On the other hand, one of our hospital clients sends us forms they use in English to translate into Spanish and we kindly point out the source text issues, if any. As you said, most clients have been quite grateful. We should have written about this aspect as well - thanks for the reminder!Judy Jenner and Dagmar Jennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15991071510108619107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post-19459773412273698562013-03-05T00:17:33.890-08:002013-03-05T00:17:33.890-08:00I‘ve often had very positive reactions to my comme...I‘ve often had very positive reactions to my comments on source text quality. Often the translator is the first person to read a document from a true reader’s perspective. So if I don‘t fully understand some sentences in the source text and continue to do so after thorough thought and research, there might really be something wrong with these sentences. Either it is only the style that makes the sentence incomprehensible or the sentence may even contain a “real error”. In most cases my customers are glad to have those text weaknesses spotted by the translator, especially if the text is intended for publication.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01658120832792089042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618029197139250711.post-19137776096641074972013-03-05T00:15:45.930-08:002013-03-05T00:15:45.930-08:00Since I don't translate I cannot really commen...Since I don't translate I cannot really comment on the text side. However, the same problems definitely occur in interpreting. It is a delicate thing, though, in particular in court and medical interpreting, since the poor/inaccurate/ambiguous way of expressing oneself actually may say something about your condition or be a conscious strategy. <br />It is not uncommon to hear that "s/he got a better interpretation than s/he deserved". I can completely relate to that frustration, but it is not necessarily the best interpreting strategy.Elisabet Tiseliushttp://interpretings.netnoreply@blogger.com