Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwipippa
And, viviena, why would a translator modernise the style? Isn't that changing the original too much?
|
I don't want to give the impression that modernisation, at least in the case of newer translations such as Pevear-Volokhonsky's, dumbs down the original or anything. It's just how various phrases and words have been translated to make the reading experience flow more smoothly and read more naturally for modern sensibilities, as opposed to the Victorianisms that can be found in earlier translations. Nothing wrong with them of course, and I'm used to the more archaic turns of phrase myself, but I can understand why some people would find the older translations difficult to bear with. An example I found elsewhere on the internet:
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Maude
Prince Vasili always spoke languidly, like an actor repeating a stale part. Anna Pavlovna Scherer on the contrary, despite her forty years, overflowed with animation and impulsiveness. To be an enthusiast had become her social vocation and, sometimes even when she did not feel like it, she became enthusiastic in order not to disappoint the expectations of those who knew her. The subdued smile which, though it did not suit her faded features, always played round her lips expressed, as in a spoiled child, a continual consciousness of her charming defect, which she neither wished, nor could, nor considered it necessary, to correct.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by P-V
Prince Vassily always spoke lazily, the way an actor speaks a role in an old play. Anna Pavlovna Scherer, on the contrary, despite her forty years, was brimming with animation and impulses.
Being an enthusiast had become her social position, and she sometimes became enthusiastic even when she had no wish to, so as not to deceive the expectations of people who knew her. The restrained smile that constantly played on Anna Pavlovna’s face, though it did not suit her outworn features, expressed, as it does in spoiled children, a constant awareness of her dear shortcoming, which she did not wish, could not, and found no need to correct.
|
For those that are curious, there's an interesting overview of the various translations out there by a
reviewer on Amazon.
Anyway, yes yes, I've settled on the Maude and have downloaded a copy from FeedBooks!
I've just got to finish off a library book or two first...