ПЕРЕВОДЫ | Что не так с "Над пропастью во ржи" Сэлинджера? | Какой перевод выбрать? Сэлинджер (#23)

Exploring Translations of "The Catcher in the Rye"

Introduction to Translation Discussion

• The discussion begins with a reference to a letter from Seneca, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right translation for reading literature.

• The speaker introduces a new experimental series focusing on artistic translations, specifically discussing "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.

• It is noted that each subsequent translation can lead one to appreciate previous versions more, highlighting the subjective nature of literary translation.

Overview of "The Catcher in the Rye"

• The focus shifts from thematic analysis to examining different translations and their nuances.

• There are three full Russian translations available; the first was done by renowned Soviet translator Rita Wright-Kovaleva.

Characteristics of Soviet Translation

• Wright-Kovaleva's translation is described as classic and exemplary of Soviet translation standards, which included high quality and rigorous control.

• However, there were significant influences from censorship that affected stylistic choices and content representation in translations.

Examples of Censorship Impact

• The Soviet version is criticized for overusing terms like "psycho," which oversimplifies various character portrayals in Salinger's work.

• Specific examples illustrate how multiple words in English are reduced to a single term ("psycho") in Russian, reflecting repressive societal norms regarding mental health and sexuality.

Analysis of Language Choices

• The term “gay” is translated as “psycho,” showcasing how language reflects societal attitudes towards homosexuality during the Soviet era.

• This misrepresentation violates principles such as concordance, where consistent terminology should be maintained across translations.

Further Examination of Content Alterations

• Discussions about sexual themes reveal that many references to sex are softened or altered significantly in Wright-Kovaleva's translation.

• For instance, phrases related to sexual experiences are often replaced with euphemisms or vague descriptions that dilute original meanings.

Cultural Contextualization

• An example involving Cuban characters illustrates how cultural context was manipulated; instead of portraying Cubans accurately, they were replaced with Spaniards due to political sensitivities at the time.

• This highlights broader issues within Soviet literature where political ideologies influenced character representations and narrative authenticity.

Analysis of Soviet Translations of "The Catcher in the Rye"

Translation Challenges and Censorship

• The absence of diplomatic relations in the Soviet Union led to peculiar translation choices, such as omissions in "The Catcher in the Rye," where entire sentences were sometimes left out.

• A specific example includes a missing sentence about a polar bear, which alters the original meaning; this reflects how censorship affected translations.

• The translation of colloquial expressions poses challenges; for instance, translating an exclamation like "damn" into Russian would be inappropriate due to cultural differences.

• The translator's solution was to use euphemisms or descriptive phrases that softened the original text, leading to a more literary but less authentic representation.

• The character Holden Caulfield is portrayed differently; he becomes an almost ideal boy rather than a flawed teenager, reflecting societal expectations under censorship.

Quality and Evolution of Translations

• Rita Wright-Kovalova's translation is noted for its quality but does not fully address all aspects of Salinger's work, suggesting room for improvement in future translations.

• Sergey Makhov emerged as a new translator in the late 90s with his version titled "Salinger," aiming to surpass previous translations by adhering closer to Salinger's style and intent.

• Makhov criticized Wright-Kovalova’s translation as overly sanitized and reflective of Soviet norms while also labeling it as “feminine,” indicating biases against certain styles or approaches.

Modernization and Linguistic Choices

• Makhov aimed to modernize language by incorporating slang from 90's youth culture, attempting to resonate with contemporary readers while staying true to the original tone.

• He emphasized that Salinger's narrative voice reflected New York youth slang from the late 1940s, which he sought to replicate through Moscow's adolescent vernacular.

Stylistic Comparisons Between Translations

• Critics argue that while Makhov’s use of modern jargon may quickly become outdated, it captures the essence of youthful rebellion present in Salinger's work better than earlier translations did.

• An example includes using terms like “blue” for gay individuals instead of outdated terminology used by Wright-Kovalova; this highlights evolving social attitudes towards language.

Fidelity vs. Adaptation

• While Makhov’s translation strives for lexical equivalence with Salinger’s original text, it occasionally sacrifices fidelity for stylistic accuracy—an ongoing debate among translators regarding adaptation versus direct translation.

• Specific instances show how dialogue is rendered differently: characters speak more naturally in Makhov's version compared to formalized speech patterns found in earlier translations.

Translation Challenges in Literary Works

Issues with Translation of "The Catcher in the Rye"

• The discussion begins by addressing the challenges faced in translating "The Catcher in the Rye," particularly focusing on the inadequacies of existing translations, such as those by Wright and Kovaleva.

• The translator Mahov's approach to place names is critiqued; he alters New York locations like Central Park and Greenwich Village, which may detract from authenticity.

• The translation issues extend beyond topographical changes; Mahov's version lacks coherence, leading to a disjointed reading experience compared to Wright's smoother narrative.

• Specific examples illustrate how colloquial language is mishandled; phrases that should resonate with youth culture are lost or misrepresented, resulting in a less relatable text.

• Mahov’s inconsistent style mixes informal speech with formal structures, creating an awkward blend that fails to capture Holden Caulfield’s voice effectively.

Comparative Analysis of Translations

• While Soviet translations have their flaws, they maintain a stylistic consistency that Mahov's translation lacks. This inconsistency undermines the overall impact of his work.

• Each generation deserves its own translation; Maxim Nemtsov’s attempt reflects contemporary sensibilities while acknowledging past interpretations.

• Nemtsov’s 2008 translation presents Holden as more defined and relatable for modern readers compared to previous versions that softened his character.

• A specific example highlights how Nemtsov corrects earlier translations regarding sensitive topics like loss of virginity, making them more aligned with original intent without losing context.

• Differences between translations reveal broader trends: where earlier versions sanitize language or concepts, newer ones aim for authenticity even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths.

Language and Cultural Nuances

• The handling of slang and cultural references varies significantly across translations; Nemtsov opts for terms that resonate better with current audiences but sometimes strays too far from original meanings.

• Instances where idiomatic expressions are replaced or omitted highlight a disconnect between source material and target audience understanding—an essential consideration for translators aiming for fidelity.

• Criticism arises over lexical choices made by translators like Nemtsov when substituting culturally loaded terms (e.g., “haldey”), which can distort meaning rather than convey it accurately.

This structured overview captures key discussions surrounding the complexities involved in translating literary works while emphasizing specific examples from various translators' approaches.

Translation Insights on Literary Works

Discussion on Translations and Their Impact

• The translation by Wright-Kovaleva misses a whole sentence, highlighting the challenges in conveying original meanings. The phrase "and only his backside was visible" illustrates the nuances lost in translation.

• Maxim Nemtsov's new translation of "Gera" is critiqued for potentially inspiring negative actions rather than meaningful engagement with literature. This raises questions about the responsibility of translators.

• The speaker emphasizes that none of the existing Russian translations adequately address the theme of immortality as presented in the original text, suggesting that readers should learn English to appreciate the work fully.

• Despite its censorship issues, the Soviet translation by Wright-Kovaleva is deemed superior for its coherence and internal consistency compared to other translations, which may not align well with the original style.

• There’s an agreement with Maxim Nemtsov that while any attempt at translation is valuable, not every attempt results in a quality translation, emphasizing standards in literary translation.

Call for Audience Engagement

• The creators invite feedback on whether this format is engaging for viewers, noting that producing episodes requires significant time investment and they are curious if their efforts resonate with their audience.