Jules Verne Forum

<jvf@Gilead.org.il>

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 19961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009

Re: Souped up xlation of Mysterious island

From: Norm Wolcott <nwolcott~at~kreative.net>
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 10:39:37 -0500
To: "Jules Verne Forum" <jvf~at~Gilead.org.il>

I was aware of the White xlation, but had not located a copy. If you have a scanned version perhaps Zvi can post it for a while somewhere. In reading your introduction it mentions that the White xlation is severely cut, which diminished my enthusiasm for it as a primaary source. However it will certainly do to correct some of the passages.

We can't hope to make a purse out of a pig's ear, but maybe a useful donkey!

I think your suggestions along with Rick Walter's may be enough to correct the most serious blunders. If the result is posted to the forum, all can have a whack at it.

Then we can consider some other books.
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Skravitz~at~aol.com
  To: jvf~at~Gilead.org.il
  Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 7:12 PM
  Subject: Re: Souped up xlation of Mysterious island


  Norman and members of the Forum,
      In reference to your project to improve the Kingston Mysterious Island translation: First, I assume that you are aware of Stephen White's 1876 English translation which was published in the (Philadelphia) Evening Telegraph and which is in the public domain. It is a good reference if you want to correct some of Kingston's deficiencies. I have a copy which I can make available to members of the Forum.
  Second, Kingston's most serious error by far is his alteration of Nemo's recital in Chapter XVI of Part III. I am tempted to call this the most serious error in any English translation of Verne's novels.
  Third, you might care to change Captain Harding to Cyrus Smith throughout (also change Pencroft to Pencroff).
  Fourth, the second paragraph in Chapter X, Part II, is omitted. It deals with details in the design of a small sailing vessel. I once thought that Kingston omitted this paragraph because he was unfamiliar with its nautical language. On the contrary, the Encyclopedia Britannica (1944 edition) states that Kingston (1814-1880) "...had a practical knowledge of seamanship, and his stories of the sea, full of thrilling adventures and hairbreadth escapes, exactly hit the taste of his boy readers." If you can fill in this paragraph in your version you will find that most readers will quickly skim over it.
  Fifth, on the outward trip to Tabor Island (Chapter XIII, Part II) Captain Pencroff was perfectly satisfied with his crew (but it won't corrupt your readers if they know that he spoke of rewarding them with nothing less than a quarter liter of wine).
  Sixth, Kingston omits simple-to-translate words, phrases and paragraphs on almost every page and I can think of no reason why he did this. If you attempt to fill in these omissions then you will end up doing what I ended up doing namely to do your own translation from scratch.
  Seventh, you might care to mention that unabridged translations are available from Wesleyan and from Random House.
  Best of luck on your endeavor.
  Sid Kravitz
       
Received on Sat 01 Feb 2003 - 22:58:32 IST

JV.Gilead.org.il
Copyright © Zvi Har’El
$Date: 2009/02/01 22:36:11 $$