Translation Dilemma: Ensuring Accuracy and Ethical Responsibility Thread poster: Tania Vaillant Amaro Marins Cortez
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Hello, everyone!
This is my first time posting here, and I'm seeking some advice and guidance.
I've been working on my first book translation (Babelclub) which delves into a topic I'm quite knowledgeable about and have extensively studied over the years. However, while translating the initial ten pages, I've come across numerous inaccuracies and potentially harmful information that could negatively impact someone's diet or even pose serious health risks.
I find m... See more Hello, everyone!
This is my first time posting here, and I'm seeking some advice and guidance.
I've been working on my first book translation (Babelclub) which delves into a topic I'm quite knowledgeable about and have extensively studied over the years. However, while translating the initial ten pages, I've come across numerous inaccuracies and potentially harmful information that could negatively impact someone's diet or even pose serious health risks.
I find myself in a moral predicament. On one hand, I believe it's not my role to judge the book's content, but on the other hand, I don't feel comfortable associating my name with something I know to be incorrect.
So, my question is, what steps should I take in this situation? How can I ensure the translation's accuracy while being mindful of ethical responsibility? I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions on how to proceed.
Thank you all in advance for your help! ▲ Collapse
| | | | William Tierney 
United States
Local time: 07:06
Member (2002)
Arabic to English
| Gracefully Step Away | Jul 28, 2023 |
Gracefully Step Away.
I teach my students to either accept a job or refuse it. If you accept it, your feelings on the subject are irrelevant. If the subject or agenda is against your principles, then refuse it. In your case, if you are discovering a problem as you get into the thick of it, then I would remove yourself. Explain it to the client/author, and they may either persuade you or listen to your input and make changes.
| | | | Barbara Carrara
Italy
Local time: 13:06
Member (2008)
English to Italian
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| Run. Away. Now. | Jul 29, 2023 |
Hi, Tania.
The royalty-based Babelcube (not Babelclub!) 'system' is not one I would call a go-to 'publisher' for first-time book translators. Or any translators, for that matter.
This said, here's what the Babelcube website states,
( https://www.babelcube.com/how-translators-create-job ),
'If the author provided a sample text from the book, a sam... See more Hi, Tania.
The royalty-based Babelcube (not Babelclub!) 'system' is not one I would call a go-to 'publisher' for first-time book translators. Or any translators, for that matter.
This said, here's what the Babelcube website states,
( https://www.babelcube.com/how-translators-create-job ),
'If the author provided a sample text from the book, a sample translation will help the author gauge your translation skills.
Wait to see if your offer is selected. Authors will browse the offers they receive and the profiles of the translators. Once they find an offer that they like, they'll confirm it and you will receive a message letting you know that you were chosen.'
The above makes me think that you might still be in the sample translation stage. Is that correct, or you've reached and signed an agreement, received the book in digital and/or paper format and discovered the 'inaccuracies' and 'harmful information' you mentioned only afterwards?
Personally, I would be very wary of 'doing business' with Babelcube and the like, and would strongly advise you to do a keyword search in the Forum section here and read the many comments about it.
Apart from having one's name printed on a book cover, Babelcube translators get very little
money - or no money at all - for their efforts.
Run. Away. Now. ▲ Collapse
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Thank you both for your input.
@Barbara. I am currently at the initial stage of reviewing the first 10 pages, but I have already received the entire material. Nevertheless, I will do the research you advised me. Although I am not seeking monetary gain from this project, it is primarily intended to improve my skills and, particularly with this book, to give more people the opportunity to read about a subject that I love (of course, this motive is no longer a part of the project).
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IrinaN
United States
Local time: 06:06
English to Russian
+ ...
| That depends | Jul 29, 2023 |
Tania, usually I'm a fierce opponent of any "ethical dilemmas", real or imaginary, that may be tormenting the translators now and then, and do my best to make sure that they avoid any interference; I already have said a lot about it before. Yours is the first I sympathize with to an extent. Still, I would not recommend to start any battles anyway.
For one, from the hints you gave, mentioning diet, I understand that the book has something to do with nutrition and wellness, right? ... See more Tania, usually I'm a fierce opponent of any "ethical dilemmas", real or imaginary, that may be tormenting the translators now and then, and do my best to make sure that they avoid any interference; I already have said a lot about it before. Yours is the first I sympathize with to an extent. Still, I would not recommend to start any battles anyway.
For one, from the hints you gave, mentioning diet, I understand that the book has something to do with nutrition and wellness, right?
If you don't have a special background/education on a subject, and the author does, however wrong he might be in your eyes, it will be very hard for you to stand your ground and claim any professional knowledge or rights to any critique based solely on the extensive reading and self-study. Please, don't get me wrong, I'm talking formalities here, I don't doubt you. It's an uphill battle, and could turn into a very nasty one. Rudely, the first question you might hear is "And just who exactly do you think you are to teach me??". Authors, especially the publish-wannabies, are even more defensive and touchy than the translators
Keep translating as is or decline, period. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:06
Serbian to English
+ ...
| If that is the case ... | Aug 8, 2023 |
Tania Vaillant Amaro Marins Cortez wrote:
Thank you both for your input.
@Barbara. I am currently at the initial stage of reviewing the first 10 pages, but I have already received the entire material. Nevertheless, I will do the research you advised me. Although I am not seeking monetary gain from this project, it is primarily intended to improve my skills and, particularly with this book, to give more people the opportunity to read about a subject that I love (of course, this motive is no longer a part of the project).
"... I am not seeking monetary gain from this project ..." and you don't want to participate in what you think is spreading wrong dietary advice.
A no-brainer - don't waste any more of your time, like on arguing with the author - as Barbara said Run. Away. Now. And forget about Babelcube.
Instead of waiting to maybe be selected, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to find a book you would be proud to put your name on it as the translator (into Portuguese?), and then contact the author directly. If the monetary gain is secondary for you, you could have a win-win situation - for the author and for yourself.
I'm also for total neutrality in translating / interpreting, but when it comes to translating a book because YOU want to make it more widely known, "neutrality" goes out through the window, your opinion counts, a lot. If the content turns out not to be what you expected, you have all the rights to walk away.
[Edited at 2023-08-09 00:35 GMT]
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