Like-Blog
Presenting you the most interesting translation solutions
Why Like-Blog? Now, first of all, this blog is a blog that you should like (and read regularly) – at least, if you are interested in translation. Then, the topic discussed here is one in which the meaningful likeness between a text and its translation in the language pair English-German plays a key role. On this page, I will take a close look at some interesting translation solutions that I have come across in the course of my work as a translator and translation scholar.
A translation solution is only as good as the arguments that support it. This means that any translation criticism, whether positive or negative, needs to be justified. The quality of a translation solution shows only when we compare it to other possible translation solutions in a given translation situation. Therefore, a translation critic should not only say why a translation solution is bad, but also demonstrate what a better solution might look like. I will try to stick to these principles of translation criticism. So if you have any questions regarding my line of argument or if you disagree, please, let me know your opinion by phone at +49 4171 6086525 or by e-mail to bittner@businessenglish-hamburg.de. So much for the introduction. I hope you’ll enjoy reading this blog!
Caution – fluent translation (February 2025)
In Joan Baxter’s article “Africa’s Land and Family Farms – Up for Grabs?” (grain.org, 14 January 2010), one rather long sentence goes: “Along with the African governments and chiefs who are happily and quietly selling or leasing the land out from under their own people, those running the show at the global level include the World Bank, its International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and many other powerful nations and institutions.”
In translation: “Zu den afrikanischen Regierungen und Oberhäuptern, die stillvergnügt das Land ihrer eigenen Leute verkaufen oder verpachten, gehören diejenigen, die auf globaler Ebene das Sagen haben. Dazu zählen die Weltbank, die zugehörige Internationale Finanz-Korporation (IFC), das Internationale Reisforschungsinstitut (IRRI), das der Beratungsgruppe für Internationale Agrarforschung (CGIAR) angehört, die Europäische Bank für Wiederaufbau und Entwicklung (EBWE) sowie viele andere mächtige Nationen und Institutionen.”
Although the German reads quite fluently, the translation has a catch. In combination with the construction of the first sentence (“Zu den afrikanischen Regierungen [...] gehören”), the beginning of the second sentence (“Dazu zählen”) equates the African governments and chiefs with those running the show at the global level. The English original features the former in addition to the latter.
An improved translation might run: Neben den afrikanischen Regierungen und Oberhäuptern, die stillvergnügt das Land ihrer eigenen Leute verkaufen oder verpachten, gibt es noch diejenigen Mitmischer, die auf globaler Ebene das Sagen haben. Dazu zählen die Weltbank, die zugehörige Internationale Finanz-Korporation (IFC), das Internationale Reisforschungsinstitut (IRRI), das der Beratungsgruppe für Internationale Agrarforschung (CGIAR) angehört, die Europäische Bank für Wiederaufbau und Entwicklung (EBWE) sowie viele andere mächtige Nationen und Institutionen.
Alternatively, a correction could simply replace the verb “gehören” by the verb “kommen”.
Conclusion: in a fluent translation, content errors are easily overlooked.