I HATE WHEN TRANSLATORS TRANSLATE THINGS WRONG BECAUSE THEY TRANSLATE INTO ANOTHER CULTURE.

I HATE WHEN TRANSLATORS TRANSLATE THINGS WRONG BECAUSE THEY TRANSLATE INTO ANOTHER CULTURE.

let me explain:

i am reading a poem called “Gefährliches Lokal” by Erich Kästner. It is a poem written in german, accompanied in my book by a translation into english by Michael Hamburger. I speak some German, so I thought I’d read it and then the English translation to see how my interpretation compared. well, among other translations by Mr. Hamburger, I am very disappointed. how the fuck does “Der Ober brachte Erbspüree mit Speck” turn into “The waiter brought us scrambled egg on toast”??????? PEA PURÉE AND BACON IS NOT SCRAMBLED EGGS NOR TOAST??? i mean english readers might find it weird but wtf man. YOU CAN’T JUST CHANGE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF A POEM BECAUSE YOU WANT TO. the original author’s meaning and intention get lost because you like toast more than bacon. it’s german to english. it wasn’t going to flow ANYWAY. at least keep it in the same food group man.

Signed, a very disgruntled reader.

time runs out eventually

none spared from the clutches of cronos

evidence woven throughout skin and bone

embedded in my aching soul

a testament to my meaningless existence

as the golden hand passes by

time runs out eventually ⏳

Silvanae, Thessalides, Epimelides, & Maenads ✨

greek nymphs were the first women in stem

“Still, one thing was missing. He may have the moon and even Venus and Saturn in his grasp, but what use was any of it without the sun? Without her?” <3

My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen pg 295