Handbook for translators of Spanish historical ... - University Library

THEORY
The translator, who has often deservedly been called a
tradittore, or traitor,^ should "be thoroughly familiar
with his own language and he should also he familiar with
the leuaguage from which he intends to make translations.
It is not necessary for him to he a "master" of "both languages;
in fact, one can hardly he master of his own language.
Nevertheless, he should have such knowledge of the
structure and idiomatic expression of both languages as
would enable him to render the substance of the original
in an accurate and readable manner. Strictly speaking, a
translator who devotes his time to scientific work should
be a scientist; the translator of philosophy should be a
philosopher; poetry should be translated by a poet; history
by a historian. These ideal conditions, however, are
seldom attained. Naturally, the greater familiarity the
translator has with his subject, the better his translation
will be. Along with a knowledge of the language and
subject, the translator should be familiar with conditions
that obtained in the country or district at the time the
original was written. Such familiarity is acquired through
serious study, or, where possible, by visiting the country
or district lander consideration. We must note that such
information is not acquired by a frivolous and superficial
study of conditions or topography as is often obtained by
enthusiastic young writers and translators on a brief tour
of night clubs and Indian villages in South or Central
America. Doubtless we are acquainted with the product of
their hopeful efforts, enthusiastic in the extreme, with
the enthusiasm of a sensitive plant. This type of translators
would probably be greatly aided by a "traduscope. "°
By our definition of translation, we are required to produce
accurate and readable translations. Accuracy presupposes
a true understanding of the meaning of the original.
Readability implies rendition into language contemporary
with the translator in such a manner that the reader or
hearer may not be shocked by unintelligible jargon or embarrassed
by awkward construction. In our attempt to simplify
the definition given by Toland, we do not intend to
detract from his high ideal. We are merely seeking to set
our goal closer to us in an effort to approach it, for we
^Espasa-Calpe , Universal Ilustrada, Vol. 63, p. 509.
g A "traduscope" was a dictaphone into which Spanish could
"be spoken at one end and English heard at the other. It
was the invention of Silvestre Paradox, one of Pio Baroja'
s heroes.
—3—