Posts
Beware the literal translation
I've been reading some reviews of language learning tools, and quite often come across comments bemoaning the translations found in the text. Some readers seem to despise translations that are not literal to the original, or styles that seem to move from literal to less literal translations. Literal translations are useful in certain contexts, such as academic study where nuance and layers of meaning are essential to interpreting a piece. However, stuffy academic translation is not appropriate for exciting, energising language learning, especially with children.
Better to read well than academically accurate
I feel it's more important to write a translation that reads well, uses language properly and has a great rhythm and pace. Literal translations can be useful at times, but are much too academic in the real world of learning to speak a new language. Readers who bemoan non-literal translations seem to be more interested in showing off their own language prowess, rather than promoting good language learning tools. Reading well involves using your listening skills to interpret the whole sentence, or flow of a piece or conversation, rather than knowing the meaning or nuance of every single word.
Catching the gist is the priority
Especially with young children, it's much more important that they have fun with language, rather than insist on technically correct reading or interpretation. Catching the gist of a sentence is a better way to learn than stopping to correct literal meanings or learn the meaning of every word. Flow, understanding and communication are much more important than having to correct every word or subtle error that does not undermine the communicative process.
