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Winnetou · 10-16-2008, 12:40 AM

Hi Slite -- yes, Dave Berk is right, they're pdf ... I guess my next step is to enquire with Lulu how to get my pdfs converted to 'other' formats. And so I progress ... ;-)

Hi Dave Berk
May's famous 'Winnetou' trilogy consists of 3 books at around 500 pages each. I will offer them in 3 formats - a unique 6-part version (based, more or less on May's own separate, older stories he used to compile the trilogy - he only wrote Winnetou I for the trilogy, II and III are compilations of older stories), the traditional 3-book paperback, and the three-in-one hard cover. The text of each version is identical (and based on May's last authorised edition of 1909). (I'm formatting the traditional 3-book paperback version as we speak).

Old Surehand, originally, was also a trilogy. Old Surehand II was a really 'out of place' compilation of completely unrelated stories, taken from some of his various other 'genres'. As such, the Old Surehand saga (minus the unrelated stories) is one of the most compelling tales he wrote, and both the current German version of Old Surehand, and mine (but independently) consist of only Old Surehand I, part of Old Surehand II (the part May wrote to incorporate said unrelated stories) and Old Surehand III. I also offer 2 versions of this, Book 1 and Book 2, as well as the two-in-one hard cover.
(I have to make a point here ... this is my hobby - I do this in between looking after our stock (goats and donkeys on the farm), cooking, washing, and all other household chores while hubby is at work - I'm on what's called here disability assistance as I've had a car accident that rattled my bones somewhat ... however, because it is a hobby, I can spend my time on details that others might not be able to do ... like finding out which sources of information May used for his tales etc ...)

Your last question is actually important and was one of the first points that had to be addressed ... when translating an author of an earlier era, one has to be aware of the fact that he wrote to his contemporary cultural standards, and that has to be respected. Many translators are too shy to address it and either leave out 'contentious passages' or change them, which is not a true reflection of what that author wrote and, indeed falsifies the cultural reflection he left behind with his work.

A disclaimer in the front of each book both warns a reader (like warnings on television ahead of an especially violent or saucy movie) of what might be ahead, and also makes the reader aware of the fact that it is a translation of something that was written over 130 years ago.

This is my disclaimer:
The author and translator wishes to advise that May’s narrative is of historic value and the text has been translated as published during May’s lifetime, and does not endorse or confirm any of the views, terms, interpretations, representations, opinions, cultural sentiments, religious expressions, or conjectures of the original author, Karl May, 1842-1912, or those attributed to his fictional characters, antagonists and protagonists alike, within the translations. Where an inaccuracy of fact has been identified, slight adjustments for ease of reading have been effected; but it was not intended to alter, censor or enhance the work of Karl May. Terms for ethnic groups commonly used by the culture of his era were acceptable in those times and, where appropriate, have been maintained within the narrative translations, because the use of contemporary, twenty-first century politically correct, and racially or culturally sensitive terms would seem out of place. We ask the reader not to judge.

Yes ... I might just stay in this thread for the moment - I truly get myself lost in forums ... if nobody minds ... ? (and I'm not fast enough either ... by the time I'm ready to post my posts, the forum system has logged me out ... that would well and truly get me lost ... :-)

10-16-2008, 12:40 AM	#13
Winnetou Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: none	Hi Slite -- yes, Dave Berk is right, they're pdf ... I guess my next step is to enquire with Lulu how to get my pdfs converted to 'other' formats. And so I progress ... ;-) Hi Dave Berk May's famous 'Winnetou' trilogy consists of 3 books at around 500 pages each. I will offer them in 3 formats - a unique 6-part version (based, more or less on May's own separate, older stories he used to compile the trilogy - he only wrote Winnetou I for the trilogy, II and III are compilations of older stories), the traditional 3-book paperback, and the three-in-one hard cover. The text of each version is identical (and based on May's last authorised edition of 1909). (I'm formatting the traditional 3-book paperback version as we speak). Old Surehand, originally, was also a trilogy. Old Surehand II was a really 'out of place' compilation of completely unrelated stories, taken from some of his various other 'genres'. As such, the Old Surehand saga (minus the unrelated stories) is one of the most compelling tales he wrote, and both the current German version of Old Surehand, and mine (but independently) consist of only Old Surehand I, part of Old Surehand II (the part May wrote to incorporate said unrelated stories) and Old Surehand III. I also offer 2 versions of this, Book 1 and Book 2, as well as the two-in-one hard cover. (I have to make a point here ... this is my hobby - I do this in between looking after our stock (goats and donkeys on the farm), cooking, washing, and all other household chores while hubby is at work - I'm on what's called here disability assistance as I've had a car accident that rattled my bones somewhat ... however, because it is a hobby, I can spend my time on details that others might not be able to do ... like finding out which sources of information May used for his tales etc ...) Your last question is actually important and was one of the first points that had to be addressed ... when translating an author of an earlier era, one has to be aware of the fact that he wrote to his contemporary cultural standards, and that has to be respected. Many translators are too shy to address it and either leave out 'contentious passages' or change them, which is not a true reflection of what that author wrote and, indeed falsifies the cultural reflection he left behind with his work. A disclaimer in the front of each book both warns a reader (like warnings on television ahead of an especially violent or saucy movie) of what might be ahead, and also makes the reader aware of the fact that it is a translation of something that was written over 130 years ago. This is my disclaimer: The author and translator wishes to advise that May’s narrative is of historic value and the text has been translated as published during May’s lifetime, and does not endorse or confirm any of the views, terms, interpretations, representations, opinions, cultural sentiments, religious expressions, or conjectures of the original author, Karl May, 1842-1912, or those attributed to his fictional characters, antagonists and protagonists alike, within the translations. Where an inaccuracy of fact has been identified, slight adjustments for ease of reading have been effected; but it was not intended to alter, censor or enhance the work of Karl May. Terms for ethnic groups commonly used by the culture of his era were acceptable in those times and, where appropriate, have been maintained within the narrative translations, because the use of contemporary, twenty-first century politically correct, and racially or culturally sensitive terms would seem out of place. We ask the reader not to judge. Yes ... I might just stay in this thread for the moment - I truly get myself lost in forums ... if nobody minds ... ? (and I'm not fast enough either ... by the time I'm ready to post my posts, the forum system has logged me out ... that would well and truly get me lost ... :-)