Looking for someone who speaks English :-)
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19319
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Looking for someone who speaks English :-)
I'd say electronic translators are usually OK for simple sentences — for example, if you're travelling in a country where you don't speak the language and you just need to know how to ask for something. But there is no way an electronic translator can translate a whole book and have it come out sounding as if it had been written by someone who speaks that language fluently. If you want a translation to sound natural, you really need a human being to do it. Computers just haven't come that far yet!
Society Member
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
-
- Posts: 2564
- Joined: 14 Jun 2009, 18:19
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five, Barney Mysteries
- Favourite character: Julian, Dick
- Location: Southwest Germany
Re: Looking for someone who speaks English :-)
... and I hope they never will. People can travel around the world without having to speak a word of the local language too much as it is.Computers just haven't come that far yet!
You don't speak to people, you don't meet people. You don't meet people, you don't have to travel. I can spend my time and considerably less money just watching documentaries about whatever place I want to visit. It's not the same, but neither is being the tourist who is helpless without his smartphone or tour guide.
Granted, my Chinese or Japanese is non-existent, and same goes for my Arabic, but there are a few countries in the world where I would get by.
As for your problem, Heike, well, a paid professional translator is the one answer, the other one is you look at the stories like you were going to write them again.. in English. That way, you will have the mental strenght to part with word-by-word translations.
"You just never knew what would happen. It made life exciting, of course - but it did spoil a cycling tour!"
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19319
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Looking for someone who speaks English :-)
Oh, I totally agree. It's helpful to be able to look up words quickly when you need them, but if you're going to spend any amount of time in a country with a different language, to me it's just a mark of basic respect and decency to learn at least a little of the local language for yourself and try to use it, instead of expecting everyone else to speak English for your benefit. Admittedly I haven't yet travelled very much in non-English-speaking countries myself, but I would put in that effort when I do!Dick Kirrin wrote: ... and I hope they never will. People can travel around the world without having to speak a word of the local language too much as it is.
You don't speak to people, you don't meet people. You don't meet people, you don't have to travel. I can spend my time and considerably less money just watching documentaries about whatever place I want to visit. It's not the same, but neither is being the tourist who is helpless without his smartphone or tour guide.
Society Member
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
- Heike
- Posts: 15
- Joined: 07 May 2018, 12:45
- Favourite book/series: Famous five
- Favourite character: George
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
Re: Looking for someone who speaks English :-)
Yes, that's absolutely correct, Courtenay.
If you move to another country, you should speak the language. I lived in Spain for 8 years and think my Spanish is better than my English. Even if my Spanish is not very good, it was enough for talks.
That's true. The online translators make many mistakes in translation. Some are even funny. I have to edit my translated books word for word. For that, I have to change the story too.
For example:
"Haut ab" translated with "Skin off", means but disappears.
If you move to another country, you should speak the language. I lived in Spain for 8 years and think my Spanish is better than my English. Even if my Spanish is not very good, it was enough for talks.
That's true. The online translators make many mistakes in translation. Some are even funny. I have to edit my translated books word for word. For that, I have to change the story too.
For example:
"Haut ab" translated with "Skin off", means but disappears.
- Wolfgang
- Posts: 3139
- Joined: 06 Apr 2008, 05:26
- Favourite book/series: The children at Green Meadows/Adventure-series
- Favourite character: Fatty
- Location: Germany
Re: Looking for someone who speaks English :-)
I knew there was I reason I dislike travelling .Dick Kirrin wrote: You don't speak to people, you don't meet people. You don't meet people, you don't have to travel. I can spend my time and considerably less money just watching documentaries about whatever place I want to visit. It's not the same, but neither is being the tourist who is helpless without his smartphone or tour guide.
Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
- Heike
- Posts: 15
- Joined: 07 May 2018, 12:45
- Favourite book/series: Famous five
- Favourite character: George
- Location: Germany
- Contact:
Re: Looking for someone who speaks English :-)
And I like to sit in my room, writing my books, and traveling in my thoughts. In my mind, the world is more beautiful anyway. If I'm interested in a country, I look at Youtube.