argument198【0906G ANap Hand 作文互改小组】第六次作业 by cynthia219

cynthia219UID: 2465245

198There is a general idea that a translation always fails to preserve some of the qualities that distinguish the original work—i.e., that 'something always gets lost in translation.' Writers, critics, and the general reading public unthinkingly accept this cliché. But this belief is unwarranted: translators are sometimes distinguished authors themselves, and some authors may even translate their own works. As the translator pointed out in the preface to an English version of Dante's works, the violin and the piano make different sounds, but they can play what is recognizably the same piece of music.



In this argument, the speaker considers that writers, critics, and the general reading public accept the wrong idea: translation always fails to preserve some of the qualities that distinguish the original work. However, the author does not convince us in that there are several logical problem as it stands.

One threshold assumption worthing consideration is that the author assumes that the idea-translation always fails to preserve some distinguished qualities in the original work-is generally accepted by writers, critics, and the general reading public. Without solid evidence, maybe the truth is that most people are satisfied by current translation situation. And in that case, the argument is meaningless, not to mention its credibility.

Even if a large number of peple consider that the translation are not able to preserve the original style, of course, which is also unwarranted, it does not follow that this idea is wrong. In order to explain it, the author gives three reasons. None of them can be valid. The first reason is that translators maybe famous authors. However, it seems useless to illustrat why the general accepted idea is wrong. It is totally possible that the more famous the translator is, the less distinguished points he or she preserve for the reason that the famous translator view the original work with own  distinct angle.

The second example the author used is that some author translate their own works. Common sense tells me that most translation are not done by the original author. If only the original author can translate its works without missing important points, the result is most likely that most translation is not so good. However, whether the author who translate their own works can preserve its distinguished points is still to doubt. As Heraclitus said, I want to step twice in the same river,but time never allows me. So does the writing, no one can promise his perception between the first works and the translation ones. The third one is that the speaker seems to overlook the fact that altrough the piano and the violin can make the same piece of music, they have their own qualities respectively.  

In all, there are no solid proof to support the conclusion. If the author want to convince us, he or she should give more detailed information accordingly to prove. First, the author should give examples to illustrate that most people accept the idea that translation cannot preserve some distinguished points. Moreover, the author should also illustrate that most works can be tranlated without difference. Finally, if the author would like to use the example of “voilin and piano”, it is also a nessecity to notify that although they perform different sound, they can play the same piece of music with the same emotion it conveys.  

jenny11235UID: 2585428

argument198【0906G ANap Hand 作文互改小组】第六次作业 by cynthia219

198There is a general idea that a translation always fails to preserve some of the qualities that distinguish the original work—i.e., that 'something always gets lost in translation.' Writers, critics, and the general reading public unthinkingly accept this cliché. But this belief is unwarranted: translators are sometimes distinguished authors themselves, and some authors may even translate their own works. As the translator pointed out in the preface to an English version of Dante's works, the violin and the piano make different sounds, but they can play what is recognizably the same piece of music.



In this argument, the speaker considers that writers, critics, and the general reading public accept the wrong idea: translation always fails to preserve some of the qualities that distinguish the original work. However, the author does not convince us in（1是in吗？2这里还是用个因果连词否则逻辑很别扭convince in 后面要接让我们相信的东西非原因所以这里还是有问题这句话）that there are several logical problem as it stands.One threshold assumption worthing consideration is that the author assumes that the idea-translation always fails to preserve some distinguished qualities in the original work-is generally accepted by writers, critics, and the general reading public. Without solid evidence, maybe the truth is that most people are satisfied by current translation situation. And in that case, the argument is meaningless, not to mention its credibility（感觉不是个强攻击点但也可以，请作者注意下，整段只有三句话，第一句陈述原题用了一半基本属废话，后面真反驳了没有任何实例，只说人家缺少solid evidence 很明显有问题，估计是作者自己也没想到驳斥的理由）.Even if a large number of people consider that the translations are not able to preserve the original style, of course, which is also unwarranted, it does not follow that this idea is wrong. （这个句式很不错~虽然是模板）In order to explain it, the author gives three reasons. None of them can be valid. The first reason is that translators maybe famous authors. However, it seems useless to illustrate why the general accepted idea is wrong. （The first reason, translators maybe famous authors, seems useless to illustrate …）It is totally possible that the more famous the translator is, the less distinguished points he or she preserve for the reason that the famous translator view the original work with own  distinct angle. （能否再进一步分析下？只一个例子就可以了吗？况且这也只是一种可能）The second example the author used is that some author translate their own works. （可以尝试将表语或定语从句写成同位语，使句子更多变些。英语中同位语很多的）Common sense tells me that most translations are not done by the original author. （可以说有这种可能但common sense 感觉有点重的一个用法）If only the original author can translate its （his or her）works without missing important points, the result is most likely that most translation is not so good. (这句话前半句说即使原作者在翻译作品时没遗漏重点，那很译作的大部分是不好的。这句话本身不觉得有逻辑问题吗？后面的不好我想应该具体些，如表达，语言等等)However（这里应是递进关系）, whether the author who translates their（前面单数后面复数？改成his） own works can preserve its distinguished points is still to doubt. As Heraclitus said, I want to step twice in the same river, but time never allows me. So does the writing,（句号） no one can promise his perception between the first works and the translation ones（promise后面应该有补语吧~保证好or 坏？不确定）. （好~）The third one is that the speaker seems to overlook the fact that although the piano and the violin can make the same piece of music, they have their own qualities respectively.  In all, there is no solid proof to support the conclusion. If the author wants to convince us, he or she should give more detailed information accordingly to prove. First, the author should give examples to illustrate that most people accept the idea that translation cannot preserve some distinguished points. Moreover, the author should also illustrate that most works can be translated without difference. Finally, if the author would like to use the example of “violin and piano”, it is also a necessity to notify that although they perform different sound, they can play the same piece of music with the same emotion it conveys.（对引言的分析很欣赏~）  

[ 本帖最后由 jenny11235 于 2009-1-8 19:29 编辑 ]