Translation and preparation for Classic book talks

Today we have reached the end of our writing course.

To recapitulate

We have talked about the general characteristics of writing:

• How it stands "outside" time
• How it requires a structure
• How it is governed by many rules and constraints such as:

1.  Grammar
2.   Spelling
3.   Syntax
4.   Register 
5.   Paragraphing

We have looked at a five-paragraph-essay as a simple building block of writing.

Then we have tried our hand at formal and informal English.

Today we finish off with the skill of translation.

I will start off by distributing and going through a handout with you.
Here it is.

Translation involves transferring the meaning from one language to another as faithfully and accurately as possible.

It is not the same as paraphrasing or summarising in another language.
It is a very useful skill.

If we look just at Leksand and its municipality we can see many areas where translation is needed.

• Business (international companies)
• Twinning arrangements (Uganda-Leksand)
• Tourism
• Music/Song

It is claimed that on an average University course in Sweden 70% of course literature is written in English.
So the uses are endless.

Nowadays it is possible to use eletronic tools to assist in translation.

If you use google translate "It's raining cats and dogs" it no longer says:
"Det regnar hundar och katter" but if you put in
"How are you going to worm your way out of this?" the result is just as bizarre!
Try  "He turned up like the bad penny!" and see what you get!

The problem of producing a good translationis not only to be accurate but also to get the right "feel" conveyed by the original text.

Here is your translation task. Easy? Probably not!

Good luck!!

Now let's turn to next week.
We have the classic book talks.
10 people will do their talks with me on Monday and 20 on next Friday.

Please fill in the sheet which is circulating in class with 

• Your name
• Author's name
• Title of book
• Monday or Friday