Experiences in Translation (Toronto Italian Studies / Emilio Goggio Publications Series)

Eco is at his finest here. I use the work to augment the study of his book The Name of the Rose (well done by Sean Connery in movie format that I also employ in my classes) and the supplemental work illustrating and refining points in that wonderful treasure of fact and fiction, from Eco's Postscript to the Name of the Rose, to the well-crafted volume The Key to The Name of the Rose: Including Translations of All Non-English Passages (Ann Arbor Paperbacks) by Hart, White and White (all available on Amazon). Eco, an Italian semiotician, essayist, philosopher, literary critic, and novelist, is one of the premier investigators, researchers, translators, interpreters and writers in western civilization.As in The Name of the Rose, and in all of his stellar literary efforts, Eco combines semiotics in fiction, biblical analysis, medieval studies and literary theory to captivate audiences in all areas of intellectual adventure and craftsmanship. This unique book on the trials, tribulations and triumphs of translation (and interpretation) goes into the subtleness of meaning of translation and details how it is impossible for an verbatim (word-for-word) translation will fail and why a true translator needs more than a dictionary or computer. Interpretation comes when a translation is correct but not easily understood and defines a separate field in the world of understanding languages. This should be used regulary, not just confined to the bookshelf to await a later use, of every translator and interpreter. I wish I could raise my rating to ten stars.

For anyone interested in how literary translation works, this is an appropriate place to begin. Eco writes in a clear, almost spare manner, mixing general observations with actual examples from his own works. The Name of the Rose. his most famous novel, is cited from the standpoint of the challenges it represented for his various translators, and William Weaver, who rendered it into English, comes in for special kudos. Experiences in Translation is divided into two parts. The first, "Translating and Being Translated," is the more interesting and will appeal to both experienced and fledgling translators. The second, "Translation and Interpretation," deals with semiotics and seems aimed more at specialists. The book is based on a series of lectures Eco gave in 1998, but the insights are timeless. Recommended.

This is not a typical monograph about translation. It’s a very light read based on several Eco’s lectures. He shares his personal experience as a translator, as well as translated writer, showing a distinctive line between translating and writing professions. He advocates the utmost importance of delivering „proper“ translations, maintaing the intention and effect of the text.This is a very good and easy read for anyone with the love for written word. It gives covers basic principles and challenges of literary translation.

A must for translators.

The book is a translation. In the original, the author talks about his work being translated and in translation. The book provides an insight into translation quality from an author's perspective for those who cannot read the original.

Read this a while ago and just realized I never made any notes on it yet it has been my favorite book on translation along with Douglas Hoffstadter's book "Le Ton Beau De Marot." How much should culture play a part? Why do people think a translation is anything like the book it purports to be? But then, I sure used to think that years ago pre-learning a second language. What would it do to a person's brain if they only read books in their own language? Or read only books written in their own language - or would translations still be that? What am I thinking anyway? Lots of interesting and fun questions arise while reading this book - whichever book it is.

Quality book, typical Eco. What's so difficult about translation? Isn't it really just a matter of synonymy between languages, or if not synonymy, then propositional content? Short answer: no.For Eco fans, this is a must have book. Interested in language, translation, and interpretation? Clicky.

excellent

Good, very good.

Un indispensable des études de traduction, avec à la fois un approche practique et théorique. C'est particulièrement intéressant si l'on a lu l'oeuvre de fiction d'Eco avant.Il faut faire attention par contre, il n'y a pas les mêmes contenus dans la version anglais et français de ce livre.