“To what extent can a translation be referentially ‘unfaithful’?”- Umberto Eco

 “To what extent can a translation be referentially ‘unfaithful’?”

- Umberto Eco

🔵 This is a quote by the famous Italian writer Umberto Eco, famous for works such as The Name of the Rose and other novels/essays. In his quote, in the book 'Experiences in Translation' (p. 30), Eco is posing the question of how communicative a translation can possibly be until it loses its faithfulness to the original text.

Many, especially in Southeast Asian countries, including in the country where I am presently living, are focusing on the beauty and aesthetics of the outcome a work of translation in its new translated target language - one reason being that due to their lack of knowledge (especially with connotations) of the original language (be it English, French, or any other), it is much easier to focus on what is written in their target language. This is true both in literary translations and in translations done for international organizations and INGOs.

Many of the publishers and critics (in literary translations) and procuring staff (in different agencies) lack a proper knowledge of the original language, thus what is good or bad is mainly decided by how it looks in the translated outcome, with a fine disregard to what was written in the original, and a fine disregard to the original purpose of any translation - which is to capture the message of the original text in genuine faithfulness. It is true that the outcome in the target language also needs to be grammatically correct, smooth and aesthetically acceptable (especially with literary works), but the original purpose of any translation should never be disregarded.

With this, Umberto Eco has a clear message. The "SPIRIT" OF A TEXT IS THE ORIGINAL MEANING THE AUTHOR IS TRYING TO CONVEY. THE TRANSLATION BECOMES UNFAITHFUL WHEN THE TRANLATOR LOSES THE SPIRIT OF THE SOURCE TEXT IN THE TARGET LANGUAGE.

Maintaining a balance between keeping the language faithful while still having the meaning be the same in the target language is part of what makes translation a complexity. But when a translator translates in a way that is not in the spirit of what the author intended, it becomes “reverently unfaithful”.

幼獅編譯所《文明的故事》《觀念史》彭淮棟．．．．．．．蔡英文(男同學 英國 York 大學博士，中研院)《觀念史》

 DURANT夫婦 (Will and Ariel Durant) 的作品與我們，一 些故事 (《文明的故事》《歷史的教訓》《哲學史話》)： 許達然，蔡英文(男同學 英國 York 大學博士，中研院)《觀念史》，彭淮棟 幼獅編譯所模範，

許達然學長在東海圖書館讀英文《文明的故事》 1972年重慶南路翻印本，共約1000元。 ，

台灣《文明的故事》由幼獅編譯所翻譯出版，連索引都翻譯，十幾年之後，此中譯由中國某出版社買去，幼獅編譯所解散

幼獅編譯所是台灣模範， 還出版《觀念史》等，由同學蔡英文主持，彭淮協助。

《哲學史話》台灣有協志出版社

《歷史的教訓》1968出版。後來，《讀者文摘》有書摘。 (同學李明賢在台中醫院開刀（盲腸）。)

The Lessons of History is a 1968 book by historians Will Durant and Ariel Durant. The book provides a summary of periods and trends in history they had noted ...

+++++

1973年夏，我與彭淮棟加入化工系為主的爬山：武陵四秀/

武陵四秀 點 。我們的合照登在畢業紀念冊--化工系上。

"1974年12月29 (這學年我住台中家，所以在學校沒舖位)

K DURANT的《哲學史話》。上山讀KANT。

阿熙一見那位女孩就原形畢露。(他是我IE系同學--一直沒連絡了)

和匡漢上公墓聊天。和阿堂 (林世堂)聊到晨四點。英格 (蔡英文)說一個人只能執於一。讀劍橋。

睡阿碰 (彭淮棟)床。他漏夜讀書....."

彭淮棟1976年畢業，臺大外文研究所考兩次才進去；不過讀一年就棄學了。我從來不好意思問他放棄的理由 (問過，有答，略)。

1980年代初， 彭淮棟暫住過寶藏巖，我才有機會去那兒....不過，當時不知道那兒可和新店溪相通......

新新聞 創刊不久，彭淮棟和他女友有次和王健壯等來我家--永和--相訪。

80年代中， 彭淮棟翻譯了I. Berlin的《俄國思想家》；M. Polanyi 的書2-3本；19世紀英國的Raymond Williams的《社會與文化》.....他引進新知有功，而且，原著都是重要的。

當年讀者文摘有書摘。

同學李明賢在台中醫院開刀（盲腸）。

MindFuel

6月18日下午7:00  · 

The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant

Feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of human history, or wondering if there are enduring patterns we can learn from the past? Wishing for a condensed, philosophical, and deeply insightful overview of humanity's journey across millennia? "The Lessons of History" is Will and Ariel Durant's brilliant distillation of their monumental, eleven-volume "Story of Civilization." In this concise work, they draw upon half a century of research to identify the recurring themes, challenges, and triumphs of human civilization. From the nature of man and the role of economics to the impact of religion and the ebb and flow of empires, the Durants offer profound insights that are as relevant today as ever. If you're ready to grasp the grand sweep of history and understand the enduring forces that shape our world, this book is your essential intellectual compass.

Why You Need This Book to Understand Humanity's Grand Story:

Do you ever feel that history is just a series of disconnected events, or that we're doomed to repeat the same mistakes? "The Lessons of History" offers a powerful counter-narrative, revealing the deep, interconnected patterns of human experience. Imagine gaining a timeless perspective on human nature, the rise and fall of civilizations, and the persistent forces that drive progress and conflict. This book empowers you with wisdom gleaned from the past, helping you to better understand the present and anticipate the future.

Ten Key Lessons from History:

1. History as a River: Life is a perpetual flow of change, but with discernible currents and eddies that repeat.

2. Biology is the Basic Lesson: Human nature, driven by fundamental biological impulses (survival, reproduction, competition, cooperation), changes slowly, if at all.

3. The Role of Geography: Climate, resources, and terrain profoundly influence the development of civilizations and their destinies.

4. The Economic Lesson: Wealth accumulation and distribution are central to societal stability and conflict, with cycles of concentration and redistribution.

5. The Interplay of Morals and Religion: Morality evolves, often shaped by religious beliefs, which serve vital social functions but can also be sources of conflict.

6. The Nature of Government: Governments, despite their varied forms, essentially serve to organize the common will, balancing order and liberty, and are prone to cycles of authoritarianism and democracy.

7. The Lessons of War: War is a constant in history, often driven by competition for resources, power, or ideals, though its form and scale change.

8. Progress vs. Cycles: While there is undeniable technological and scientific progress, the Durants suggest that human nature and the fundamental challenges of societal organization are cyclical.

9. The Challenge of Liberty and Equality: These are often competing ideals. Liberty tends to create inequality, while attempts at forced equality often stifle liberty.

10. History's Humility: Despite vast knowledge, the Durants emphasize that history offers few absolute answers, but provides perspective, humility, and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Words That Offer Timeless Wisdom:

• "Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes peaceful, sometimes violent, but the banks endure."

• "The only real revolution is in the enlightenment of the mind."

Grasp the Grand Lessons of Human Civilization:

Ready to distill a lifetime of historical wisdom into a concise and powerful understanding of humanity's journey? "The Lessons of History" is an essential and endlessly rewarding read.

Get the Kindle edition and start your journey into timeless wisdom today! Imagine the profound insights you'll gain into human nature and the forces shaping our world. You can often find hardcover and paperback editions available, as well as used copies. Plus, explore free trial options when you sign up for Kindle Unlimited, where you might find this extraordinary book!

Or, let the insightful narration of Will and Ariel Durant (or a compelling narrator) guide you through the FREE Audible audiobook! Hearing their distilled wisdom makes this an even more impactful and intellectually stimulating experience. New to Audible? You might be eligible for a free trial upon registration, giving you instant access to this pivotal book and a wealth of other titles on history, philosophy, and society.

Learn. Reflect. Understand.

Ready to explore "The Lessons of History" by Will and Ariel Durant? Click below to begin your journey to timeless wisdom!

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台灣Le Grand Monde 翻譯本2025的末頁" 謝辭，翻譯成人情債； The Musée Carnavalet ： 狂歡節博物館( 巴黎隱士：卡爾維諾自傳)； GOOGLE：卡納瓦萊博物館，日文wikipedia 也採音譯

 

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The Musée Carnavalet in the Marais is your gateway to the city's past. Housed in two historic mansions, it tells the story of Paris through art, artifacts, and immersive period rooms.

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Le Grand Monde Paperback – 2022年 1月 25日

French版  作者 Pierre Lemaitre (Author)

Né à Paris, Pierre Lemaitre a enseigné aux adultes, notamment les littératures française et américaine, l’analyse littéraire et la culture générale. Il est aujourd’hui écrivain et scénariste.
Ses romans ont été récompensés par de nombreux prix littéraires nationaux et internationaux.
En 2013, le prix Goncourt lui est décerné pour Au revoir là-haut, premier volet de sa trilogie Les Enfants du désastre (Au revoir là-haut, Couleurs de l’incendie,Miroir
de nos peines). En 2018, il a reçu le César de la meilleure adaptation avec Albert Dupontel pour ce même roman.

岩波書店のPR雑誌「図書」翻譯成《陶書》真是亂搞

 google 翻譯：從家裡來──以及陳澄波文化基金會。

2024年5月30日 · [工作報告] 我為岩波書店的宣傳雜誌《陶書》投稿。 我撰寫了與陳澄波的親身經歷，這些經歷未能收錄在今年2月28日出版的譯作《尋找陳澄波：消失的台灣畫家之謎》（柯宗明譯）的後記中。此外，我還撰寫了陳澄波文化基金會目前正在進行的工作，以「傳承」陳澄波曾經為之付出生命的對台灣文化和教育的熱情。 《陶書》是一本歷史悠久的雜誌，創刊於1936年，想像陳澄波或許會拿起它，就讓我感慨萬千。 順便說一下，《尋找陳澄波》的出版活動將於6月中旬在東京舉行。 詳情很快就會公佈，期待與東京地區的各位見面！

2024年5月30日  ·

上線狀態指標

在線上

栖來光──和陳澄波文化基金會 Chen Cheng-po Cultural Foundation 。

2024年5月30日  ·【お仕事報告 】

岩波書店のPR雑誌「図書」に寄稿しました。

今年の２月２８日に刊行された拙訳『陳澄波を探して 消された台湾画家の謎』(柯宗明・作)のあとがきに書ききれなかった、わたしが陳澄波と関わるようになった個人的エピソードや、陳澄波がかつて命を懸けた台湾の文化や教育への‘’想いを継‘’いで、現在の陳澄波文化基金会がどんなことに取り組んでいるかなど綴っています。

「図書」は歴史ある雑誌で、1936年創刊とのこと、陳澄波も手に取ったかもと想像すると何だかジーンとします。

ちなみに、６月半ばに東京で『陳澄波を探して』の出版イベントができることになりそうです。

詳細はまもなくお知らせ出来ると思います、東京近郊の皆様、よろしくお願いいたします！