Like-Blog
Presenting you the most interesting translation solutions
Why Like-Blog? Now, first of all, this blog is a blog that you should like (and read regularly) – at least, if you are interested in translation. Then, the topic discussed here is one in which the meaningful likeness between a text and its translation in the language pair English-German plays a key role. On this page, I will take a close look at some interesting translation solutions that I have come across in the course of my work as a translator and translation scholar.
A translation solution is only as good as the arguments that support it. This means that any translation criticism, whether positive or negative, needs to be justified. The quality of a translation solution shows only when we compare it to other possible translation solutions in a given translation situation. Therefore, a translation critic should not only say why a translation solution is bad, but also demonstrate what a better solution might look like. I will try to stick to these principles of translation criticism. So if you have any questions regarding my line of argument or if you disagree, please, let me know your opinion by phone at +49 4171 6086525 or by e-mail to bittner@businessenglish-hamburg.de. So much for the introduction. I hope you’ll enjoy reading this blog!
Nuances (February 2021)
As in the previous month, I am referring to a passage taken from “The Meaning of Michelle Obama” by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Scherer: “She makes fun of herself and of her husband, and teases a male reporter about his struggle to accurately describe her outfit during her European tour.”
In German, we read: “Sie macht sich über sich selbst und ihren Mann lustig und sie neckt den männlichen Reporter, der Schwierigkeiten hat, ihr Outfit während ihrer Europatour treffend zu beschreiben.” Do you see any problem, here?
I wouldn’t be surprised, if you didn’t. For what is at issue, here, is not an obvious error that could be proven, say, by a dictionary entry. There are many different possibilities of translating the English verb “tease” into German. One such possibility is certainly “necken”. In the Duden, we find the following definition: “durch scherzende, spottende, stichelnde Bemerkungen, Anspielungen o. Ä. seinen Scherz mit jemandem treiben”; that is, to make fun of somebody using teasing remarks. Actually, this seems to be just perfect.
Still, when I’m reading the translation, I feel that another verb is needed, here. After some consideration, this feeling is supported by the insight that “necken” requires a somewhat closer relationship between the teaser and the teased. In other words, I would use “necken” in connection with a friend or acquaintance rather than in connection with a complete stranger.
What alternatives are there to the verb “necken”? Well, there is “ärgern”, which, however, is not particularly suitable in the given context, because it implies the possibility of evil intent: namely, to annoy or irritate somebody. The verb “hänseln” is similar to “necken” in that you use it more appropriately in relation to people you know. My suggestion for the translation would be: Sie macht sich über sich selbst und ihren Mann lustig und sie veräppelt den männlichen Reporter, der Schwierigkeiten hat, ihr Outfit während ihrer Europatour treffend zu beschreiben.