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Cases of translating something we didn't like by principle?
Thread poster: Stilgar
Russell Jones
Russell Jones  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:58
Italian to English
McTrans Nov 19, 2010

If it's against your principles, don't take the job.
The only time that happened to me was a building specification for the world's best known fast food chain, intending to open an outlet in one of the classiest and most iconic shopping arcades in northern Italy. I know someone else must have done it but the culture clash just stuck in my gullet (like their apologies for food).

When I was new to translating, I was given the descriptive display boards for an ornithological mus... See more
If it's against your principles, don't take the job.
The only time that happened to me was a building specification for the world's best known fast food chain, intending to open an outlet in one of the classiest and most iconic shopping arcades in northern Italy. I know someone else must have done it but the culture clash just stuck in my gullet (like their apologies for food).

When I was new to translating, I was given the descriptive display boards for an ornithological museum housing the legacy of a local but famous ornithologist. They gloated over his skill as a hunter and rifle marksman, in graphic detail. The best I could do was to warn the client of the effect this would have on anglophone sensitivities and offer to do a non-faithful, toned down version. They didn't take me up on it. ▲ Collapse
 
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Cases of translating something we didn't like by principle?







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