Glossary entry (derived from question below)
español term or phrase:
el que traduce, traiciona
inglés translation:
to translate is to betray
Added to glossary by
Ross Andrew Parker
Jun 8, 2007 19:04
17 yrs ago
1 viewer *
español term
Estados Unidos
servicios para autores académicos
Native in: inglés
Works in: español al inglés, inglés
el que traduce, traiciona
español al inglés
Arte/Literatura
Poesía y literatura
Mexico
traduttore, traditore ...
We all know what this means, but how should it be written in English? "Translator, traitor!" "translator, traitor" "he who translates is a traitor" "Translator, you're a traitor" "to translate is to deceive"? Any other ideas? Or should I follow the author's lead here and use "he who translates betrays"?
We all know what this means, but how should it be written in English? "Translator, traitor!" "translator, traitor" "he who translates is a traitor" "Translator, you're a traitor" "to translate is to deceive"? Any other ideas? Or should I follow the author's lead here and use "he who translates betrays"?
Proposed translations
(inglés)
Change log
Jun 12, 2007 15:08: Ross Andrew Parker Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+6
6 minutos
Selected
to translate is to betray
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q="to translate is to bet...
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Note added at 6 mins (2007-06-08 19:11:05 GMT)
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OR:
translation is an act of betrayal
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Note added at 8 mins (2007-06-08 19:12:44 GMT)
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I think betray/betrayal works better than "traitor": You're betraying the original text.
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Note added at 10 mins (2007-06-08 19:14:18 GMT)
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By using the infinitive you can also avoid the "he".
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Note added at 6 mins (2007-06-08 19:11:05 GMT)
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OR:
translation is an act of betrayal
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Note added at 8 mins (2007-06-08 19:12:44 GMT)
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I think betray/betrayal works better than "traitor": You're betraying the original text.
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Note added at 10 mins (2007-06-08 19:14:18 GMT)
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By using the infinitive you can also avoid the "he".
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Daniel Burns (X)
10 minutos
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THanks
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| agree |
swisstell
11 minutos
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Thanks
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| agree |
Marina Soldati
19 minutos
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Thanks
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| agree |
Andrea Nagy
50 minutos
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| agree |
Carol Gullidge
1 hora
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| agree |
Brigith Guimarães
: I don't agree with the concept, but you have it right, Ross
2 horas
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to everyone for their excellent ideas and observations! I had a hard time deciding, but because the Italian appears in the original, I am going to use it in the Spanish, and in parenthesis, I'll put Ross's translation. So, the points go to Ross. Thanks!"
+3
4 minutos
yolanda Speece
Native in inglés
Efficiency and effectiveness!!!
Native in: inglés 
Works in: inglés al español, español al inglés, inglés
Related KudoZ points
:
12
Another option
translator, transgressor.
Just an option
Just an option
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
swisstell
13 minutos
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Thank you SwissTell
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| agree |
Jim Tucker (X)
: this would be pretty good if you absolutely had to translate it - much better rhythm n rhyme than other proposed versions - but still English generally just quotes the Italian version.
1 hora
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| agree |
JoseAlejandro
: what's up, girl? Pretty nifty there...you still have the same number?
1 hora
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YES Call me!
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+2
7 minutos
Mariana Harriague
Reino Unido
Reino Unido
Native in español
Specializes in field
Reino Unido
Accurate, reliable and fast
Native in: español
Works in: inglés al español, español al inglés
Translator, traitor.
I would choose this version, in order to keep the same structure as in Italian, which is the language in which the original phrase was coined.
But I really think it's a matter of choice, since I have seen all sorts of different versions, not just a unique one like the famous "traduttore, tradittore". Good luck! :-)
But I really think it's a matter of choice, since I have seen all sorts of different versions, not just a unique one like the famous "traduttore, tradittore". Good luck! :-)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
psicutrinius
: agree in full. And it makes verse, too, as in the Italian original
2 minutos
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| agree |
anamaria bulgariu
16 minutos
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| neutral |
Jim Tucker (X)
: English doesn't really support this syntax as well as the Italian does. The Italian version is commonly used in English. (traditore - one "t")
1 hora
|
+5
13 minutos
Carolina Gazzaneo
Uruguay
Uruguay
Native in español
&
inglés
Uruguay
Creative language services
Native in: español (Variants: Uruguayan, Standard-Spain) , inglés 
Works in: español al inglés, inglés al español, portugués al inglés, and 3 more.
he who translates, betrays
I have seen it used in this way.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
BristolTEc
: Personally I think this best as a translation as both do focus on the person and the use of "he" is traditional even if politcally incorrect. Other options would translate from other neutral choices, such as "traducir es traitionar"
18 minutos
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| agree |
Katarina Peters
40 minutos
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| agree |
rhandler
1 hora
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| agree |
Carol Gullidge
: this is good too
1 hora
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| agree |
Brigith Guimarães
: Similarly well with a special salute to Uruguay - I miss it
2 horas
|
+2
58 minutos
Yvette Neisser Moreno
Estados Unidos
Estados Unidos
Native in inglés
Specializes in field
Estados Unidos
English wordsmith
Native in: inglés
Works in: español al inglés, árabe al inglés, hebreo al inglés, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
12
The translator is a traitor
I think, depending on your context, that "Translator, traitor" by itself does not necessarily mean much. In English, the verb (in this case, "is") really helps cement the meaning. But at the same time, I agree with Mariana that its nice to keep the poetic element of the original by using the terms "translator" and "traitor" which have a similar sound and echo the original. Just one of many viable options!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Jim Tucker (X)
: This one then. One of its virtues is that it retains the almost-operatic character of the Italian: Traitor!!
55 minutos
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Thanks, Jim!
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| agree |
Cinnamon Nolan
9 horas
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Thanks!
|
1 hora
Carol Gullidge
Reino Unido
Reino Unido
Native in inglés
Specializes in field
Reino Unido
poetically precise prose with... panache
Native in: inglés
Works in: francés al inglés, español al inglés, inglés
Related KudoZ points
:
315
any translation is a betrayal
not so catchy, but this is what is really meant
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Jim Tucker (X)
: could agree with "translation is betrayal" which streamlines it somewhat and gives it punch
3 horas
|
1 hora
traduttore, traditore
This is widely used in English, and is never translated.
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Note added at 1 hr (2007-06-08 21:00:41 GMT)
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OK Patricia - I see.
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Note added at 1 hr (2007-06-08 21:00:41 GMT)
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OK Patricia - I see.
Note from asker:
| Jim: The author translated it from Italian to Spanish, so I feel that I need to provide a parenthetical translation. Thanks while the same for pointing out! |
| I meant: Thanks all the same for pointing that out ?! I guess it's break time. Anyway, thanks for understanding... |
Discussion