THE QUALITY OF THE WRITING
You have to consider the quality of the writing and the authority of the
text, two critical factors in the choice of the translation method. The
quality of the writing has to be judged in relation to the author’s intention
and/or the requirements of the subject - matter. If the text is well written,
i.e. the manner is as important as the matter, the right words are in the
right places, with the minimum of redundancy, you have to regard every
nuance of the author’s meaning (particularly if it is subtle and difficult) as
having precedence over the
reader’s response - assuming they are not
required to act or react promptly; on the contrary, assuming hopefully
that they will read your translation at least twice. Deciding what is good
writing is sometimes criticized as “subjective” but it is a decision, like
many others, not subjective but with a subjective element (the area of
taste) which you have to make, use any experience of literary criticism
you may have had but bearing in mind that the criterion here is
meaning: to what extent does the web of words of the SL text
correspond to a clear representation of facts or images? If a text is well
written, the syntax will reflect the writer’s personality - complex syntax
will reflect subtlety (Proust, Mann) - plain syntax, simplicity. Words will
be freshly used unusual connotations. A badly written text will be
cluttered with stereotyped phrases, recently fashionable general words
and probably poorly structured. Note that language rules and
prescriptions have nothing much to do with good writing. What matter is
a flesh reflection of the reality outside language or of the writer’s mind.
The authority of the text is derived from good writing: but also
independently, unconnectedly, from the status of the SL writer. If the SL
writer is recognized as important as in his field, and he is making an ex -
cathedra or official statement, the text is also authoritative. The point is
that “expressive” texts, i.e. serious imaginative literature and
authoritative and personal statements, have to be translated closely,
matching the writing, good or bad, of the original. Informative texts,
statements relate primarily to the truth, to the real facts of the matter,
have to be translated in the best style that the translator can reconcile
with the style of the original.
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