Journal #12

Journal #12: Part one: According to your work today in class, which translator would you argue has the most literary value and why? What elements of the text are you valuing by the decision you made?

Part two: According to the above meanings for the work "e'tranger", what title would you assign the English translation of the text and why. Go as far as to cite specific examples from the book that support your decision.

 

According to my work today in class, I would argue that Matthew Ward has a better translation because it is more authentic and matches what Camus wouldve wanted better. I feel like Gilbert tried to alter what was really being said just to make it more natural for the American readers. Things such as changing the kilometers or metric system, which France uses to the mile, which Americans use. Another thing is at the beginning of the book when Meursault refers to his mother as Maman in Wards translation and Mother in Gilberts. The two words are completely different things and make the reader feel completely different. Maman has a more affectionate tone while mother sounds very generic.

 

I would assign the english translation of the text the title "The Stranger". I wouldnt change it because i feel like it fits better then the foreigner or the outsider. Meursaults lack of a real relationship with any of his "friends" and even really with his own mother makes it seem as though he is a stranger to them all. His indifferent attitude throughout the book is much the same as a stranger would have. If i didnt know someone, or was a stranger to them, i would most likely be indifferent to their troubles and such. I feel like its better than foreigner because that makes it sound like he just came over from another country, while outsider just doesnt fit as well for me.