A translation is difficult.
These days, I am listening translation class. Professor Kim gives a text every Tuesday, and then we translate for 5 days. We always hand in our assignment every Saturday until 5pm, so we send her e-mail. I think you may feel this is really simple, but it isn’t simple and easy. We read and translate the text as if we are a writer. Although we aren’t a writer, we don’t forget this fact. Someday if someone read our writing, when they read our writing, they must feel about our writing, this is interesting and easy to understand. Professor said readers never read your writing more than twice. So this assignment need good ability not only English but also Korean. As a result, I realized about my poor English, Korean ability.
Granted, this class doesn’t always feel frustrated. Although my assignment is really difficult, after I finish it, I feel happiness and a satisfaction. I also feel my ability’s improvement. And I learned translation is really attractive. Above all I have new habit. That is when I read translation book, I often think about translator’s intention and the original text. And if it isn’t easy to read, I used to do criticism about their translation. Above all, in this situation, I think if I am a translator, can I be a good writer? So, I understand about their difficulty. And I am sure that this class is really helping me. Someday I will be good translator.
4 thoughts on “A translation is difficult.”
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Yeah, I’m totally agree with you. I also take the translation course as you know, and the assignments get harder and harder every week.
Sometimes it’s really hard to translate it to Korean appropiately. although I could understand what the writer talked about. However I learned how to translate it well every week, so I believe that my translation skill will be better.(I hope!)
As well, I got same habit as you when I read a translation, and I feel angry when I read very weird translation. you know, they did it as a professional but they didn’t do their best.
Anyway, let’s cheer up!We can do it!
I’m really worried about the translation course because I have to take the class next year. My English is poor, so I have hard time now. Of course, I think the translation course may improve my English skill, but it probably is hard work for me.
In my french class, prof. choi yoon joo also gave the students same assignment. I had to read some french text and translate it as if I’m a real writer. It was really hard. I think Korean ability is really important in translation.
I heard about Translation Class many times. I heard it is hard than we think. But cheer up!