Off topic: Why translators should be named on book covers Thread poster: Caryl Swift
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Caryl Swift 
Poland
Local time: 16:17
Polish to English
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| Bruce Tuggy
United States
Local time: 07:17
Spanish to English
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| How to coax publishing houses into crediting the translator | Sep 10, 2021 |
I absolutely agree. When I worked as the main editor at a publishing house, I was always in favor of putting some kind of credit for the translation either on the cover or at least inside under the copyright notice. I let the CEO and owner know how I felt and why, but unfortunately, they had a different view of the matter, so the translator was only acknowledged in two cases that I know of.
My theory is that the publishing house doesn't want to risk having to pay the translator roya... See more I absolutely agree. When I worked as the main editor at a publishing house, I was always in favor of putting some kind of credit for the translation either on the cover or at least inside under the copyright notice. I let the CEO and owner know how I felt and why, but unfortunately, they had a different view of the matter, so the translator was only acknowledged in two cases that I know of.
My theory is that the publishing house doesn't want to risk having to pay the translator royalties, which they cannot afford, so they avoid the risk by not mentioning the translator. They are willing to pay the translator on a one-time contract basis, but not credit them in the book. I still don't think it's right.
I feel sure that the publisher can write a contract with the translator to produce a work for hire, thereby avoiding paying royalties, yet agree to mention the translator on the cover and the copyrights page. An outsource or in-house translator can approach the publisher with this model and seek to be credited where credit is due. ▲ Collapse
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Why does the literary translator need/crave that recognition?
I’m rarely credited for my work and frankly I couldn’t care less.
And when I am I generally wish I hadn’t been, through no fault of my own.
| | | | | Pros and cons | Sep 12, 2021 |
I don't agree with this. I translated a novel for the first time during last winter, and of course, when the book is published I'd like my work to be acknowledged. But on the cover? I don't think so.
The author of the article in the Guardian stresses the point that every word in a translation comes from the translator, not the original author. Yes, but as we all know, apart from the very simplest contexts, translation isn't really about words, it's about concepts.
Yes, ... See more I don't agree with this. I translated a novel for the first time during last winter, and of course, when the book is published I'd like my work to be acknowledged. But on the cover? I don't think so.
The author of the article in the Guardian stresses the point that every word in a translation comes from the translator, not the original author. Yes, but as we all know, apart from the very simplest contexts, translation isn't really about words, it's about concepts.
Yes, every word in the novel I translated was written by me. But every word was also approved by the author. More importantly, what I was trying to do in the translation - and what I think every translator should be trying to do - was not to make it my own work, but to render the author's original creation as faithfully as possible in the target language.
The words are mine, but the voice the reader hears - if I've done my job properly - is not mine: it's the author's voice, just speaking a different language.
So as far as I'm concerned, the author can have the front page to herself. I'll be content with an acknowledgement inside. ▲ Collapse
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:17
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Alas, not always | Sep 12, 2021 |
Philip Lees wrote:
.....The words are mine, but the voice the reader hears - if I've done my job properly - is not mine: it's the author's voice, just speaking a different language.
If I'm reading something in translation I always check who the translator was. This is particularly important in the case of c19 Russian literature because of the notorious Constance Garnett, who by all accounts was a complete disaster. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/11/07/the-translation-wars
In the case of contemporary Italian literature I once had the pleasure of knowing William (Bill) Weaver, who translated all of Italo Calvino and Umberto Eco etc. and worked closely with them. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/18/william-weaver
Note added:
Someone has decided that this thread is "off topic" and has coloured it light blue; I don't think it will ever be off-topic.
[Edited at 2021-09-12 10:48 GMT]
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It should be mentioned but inside, not on the cover...
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