Good English Language Translations of Foreign Books

QofResh · 10-04-2012, 11:45 PM

As a long time student of the Judeo-Christian Bible, I am keenly aware (and sensitive to) the importance of a good readable translation for the work under consideration. That said, there are many foreign language books (think the classics) that I would love to try, however I feel quite dubious about reading an outdated translation.

What I am asking for is examples of well-loved foreign language books in well crafted, contemporary English. For example, I love (what I have read of) Brothers Karamazov written by Fyodor Dostoevsky and translated into english by Andrew MacAndrew (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...w_myk_ro_title). Thank you so much for the suggestions!

sun surfer · 10-05-2012, 12:37 AM

Hi QofResh,

I'm big on finding the best translations too when there's multiple out there.

Pevear and Volokhonsky as a team translate many Russian classics and I've really enjoyed what I've read that they did (I've read some of their translations of Bulgakov, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy). Some say they can be too exact and don't focus as much on the "flow" but I think it's a plus they try to be so exact. They are contemporary and have translated many of their books recently within the last decade or two.

If you're into ancient classics, I recommend Richard Lattimore. Not sure what all he's done, but I read his translations of Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" and both were excellent. His translations are from around the 1960s or so. He focuses on close translation, simplicity, majesty of the language, the flow of poetry and the structure and does great at it.

Some say Lattimore's translations are older and can be more dense and less vibrant, but personally I think they're really fantastic. But if you're interested in ancient classics and want a translation more contemporary and modernly "readable", I've heard good things about Robert Fagles.

Hope that helps.

BenG · 10-05-2012, 10:18 AM

The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, translated by Jordan Stump

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, translated by Robin Buss

Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes, translated by Edith Grossman

10-04-2012, 11:45 PM	#1
QofResh Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 500690 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: North Carolina Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Touch; Android Tablet (Asus TF300); PC App	Good English Language Translations of Foreign Books As a long time student of the Judeo-Christian Bible, I am keenly aware (and sensitive to) the importance of a good readable translation for the work under consideration. That said, there are many foreign language books (think the classics) that I would love to try, however I feel quite dubious about reading an outdated translation. What I am asking for is examples of well-loved foreign language books in well crafted, contemporary English. For example, I love (what I have read of) Brothers Karamazov written by Fyodor Dostoevsky and translated into english by Andrew MacAndrew (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...w_myk_ro_title). Thank you so much for the suggestions!

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10-05-2012, 12:37 AM	#2
sun surfer languorous autodidact ✦ Posts: 4,235 Karma: 44667380 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: smiling with the rising sun Device: onyx boox poke 2 colour, kindle voyage	Hi QofResh, I'm big on finding the best translations too when there's multiple out there. Pevear and Volokhonsky as a team translate many Russian classics and I've really enjoyed what I've read that they did (I've read some of their translations of Bulgakov, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy). Some say they can be too exact and don't focus as much on the "flow" but I think it's a plus they try to be so exact. They are contemporary and have translated many of their books recently within the last decade or two. If you're into ancient classics, I recommend Richard Lattimore. Not sure what all he's done, but I read his translations of Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" and both were excellent. His translations are from around the 1960s or so. He focuses on close translation, simplicity, majesty of the language, the flow of poetry and the structure and does great at it. Some say Lattimore's translations are older and can be more dense and less vibrant, but personally I think they're really fantastic. But if you're interested in ancient classics and want a translation more contemporary and modernly "readable", I've heard good things about Robert Fagles. Hope that helps.

10-05-2012, 10:18 AM	#3
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, translated by Jordan Stump The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, translated by Robin Buss Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes, translated by Edith Grossman

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