For readers who speak multiple languages, but not the original language of the work in question, how do you go about picking the best translation?

For example, I’d like to pick up Virgil’s Aeneid, but my Latin is not good enough to allow me to sight read it. I can choose between any of the Italian, French or English translations, but I’m not sure which one to pick?

I thought that in this case the Italian one might be the best as it would be “closer” to the original Latin? But how much value should I put on the authorial input/style of the translators themelves?

I usually pick English translations, but I’m now wondering whether I’ve been missing out on some great translations.

  • akirivan@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I speak Spanish natively and English at an advanced level (C2). I also speak French and German but not well enough yet to actually read books.

    For books originally in Spanish, I go only for Spanish.

    For books originally in English, I try to go for the English version, but I have no issues with getting the Spanish version if it’s all I can get my hands on or if I just don’t care about whether it’s the original version.

    For books originally in other languages, I usually go for the Spanish translation, but not because of preference. It’s more about buying convenience, whichever is easier to get is the one I get.

    With the latter two, another factor is how nice each edition is. I am big on books as artistic objects, so if a book has a nicer edition in English, I might try to get that translation instead of the Spanish