I just wrote a comment over at the Briggs newsletter about her discussion of how Barthes's lecture courses were translated out of order, and I liked Briggs's acknowledgement that this had to have an effect on at least some readers, those who wanted to read the lectures before they were all out and so couldn't read in the order they wanted to but had to read out of order and/or wait. I suppose I don't really know what that would have felt like, but I said in my comment that I'd rather Briggs and the other translators translate out of order if it means that they are translating the work they are most excited about. I'd rather read a translation the translator was really into than one dutifully done. Could I tell the different between those two books? Maybe not! But I can't help but feel that the personal interest and passion of the translator would make a difference. Maybe this is my moment of feeling sentimental, though. Anyway, some thoughts inspired by your closing questions.
I realise I'm completely confused in my numbering of the weeks, so haven't yet started reading week 7. Sigh.
But yes, I think I'd rather a translator had the option to choose the order. I suppose I do understand that translation can be just a job but it's such hard work if I knew the translator didn't like the book, I don't think I'd want to read it. I'd just be thinking about what a slog it had been for them all the way through!
I just wrote a comment over at the Briggs newsletter about her discussion of how Barthes's lecture courses were translated out of order, and I liked Briggs's acknowledgement that this had to have an effect on at least some readers, those who wanted to read the lectures before they were all out and so couldn't read in the order they wanted to but had to read out of order and/or wait. I suppose I don't really know what that would have felt like, but I said in my comment that I'd rather Briggs and the other translators translate out of order if it means that they are translating the work they are most excited about. I'd rather read a translation the translator was really into than one dutifully done. Could I tell the different between those two books? Maybe not! But I can't help but feel that the personal interest and passion of the translator would make a difference. Maybe this is my moment of feeling sentimental, though. Anyway, some thoughts inspired by your closing questions.
I realise I'm completely confused in my numbering of the weeks, so haven't yet started reading week 7. Sigh.
But yes, I think I'd rather a translator had the option to choose the order. I suppose I do understand that translation can be just a job but it's such hard work if I knew the translator didn't like the book, I don't think I'd want to read it. I'd just be thinking about what a slog it had been for them all the way through!