User talk:Geofferybard/Multiple linked translations

Comments on Multiple wiki translations

Purpose of this essay
This essay is intended as an aid to collaborative translation of texts for which translations already do exist such as particularly written with ancient spiritual texts such as Buddhist sutras in mind.

The established rule
The wikisource article on translation has a section entitled "Multiple wiki translations". I wish to comment on portions thereof, to wit:

"For some texts, one new Wikisource translation may not satisfy all needs. This is especially true for poetry and literature, as well as texts from pre-modern times. Wikisource is committed to making texts available as many usable formats as possible, if there are users willing to contribute them...

Different translations may reflect different versions of the source text [addressed to different audiences or expressing different approaches].

In cases where a single translation does not meet all needs, more than one translation may be contributed to Wikisource."

Thus, there is a clear policy in place permitting multiple or parallel translations. The artice lays out guidelines:

How to go about it: the established rule
"When this happens, the methodology, style and goals of each translation should be clearly spelled out and agreed upon by the wiki contributors who participate in that translation project."

Method
Two basic approaches: (1) source language analysis of (a) words and (b) idiomatic phrases and (2) review of existing translations. A corollary approach (3)would be to review illustrations made to support a text.

Style
Style is the style in which the translated material is presented for the reader. It may be verbose or terse; it may paint a picture or invoke other senses. Alternately, it might decline to stimulate the senses but rather appeal to abstract intellect. The translation may use simple, direct words and sentences such as Hemingway, or it may use complex sentence construction and sophisticated vocabulary.

Goals
Decisions of method and style may best be arrived at by evaluating the goal of the project. Who is the intended reader and what effect is desired in the reader. Obviously the exact effect cannot be predefined, but it can be circumscribed. Do we want to stir up a particular emotion? Do we intend to convince the reader of some facts? Are we creating a guide to a practice or a technique, or are we expounding on the nature of the cosmos?

Parallel links to other translations
The article section concludes:

"It is important to emphasize that different kinds of translations are often truly different works. In such cases, parallel translations can develop separately while being linked for comparison."