Godwin Translations

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Translation: part science, part art

Introduction

In  French to English Translation Problems (Fr. to En. Problems)  we gave you an idea of some of the main differences between French and English. The translator must keep these differences in mind while translating; at the same time, the translator has to keep mind various principles and techniques. On the next page you will find seven French passages with English translations. Each passage presents a different set of problems and solutions. As you look through them you should get some insight into the complexity of the translator's task and how it is both a science and an art.


Explanation by Example A famous recent Canadian case (Gosselin) involved a welfare recipient who claimed that during a bad recession in Montreal in the 1980's a whole segment of society (people under thirty) was short-changed in welfare payments solely on the basis of age, that this was/is in violation of the Canadian Charter, and that retroactive compensation should be paid to these people.

On the next page I will use this example to explain the 7 translation principles .