New French Hobbit Translation

MMP Mithril in Middle-Earth The Prancing Pony New French Hobbit Translation

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  • #703
    Gildor
    MMP Elder

      For those of you who read french or are interested to know,

      In September/October a new translation of “The Hobbit” will be released (by Christian Bourgois Editions) , the official translation so far, had never been reworked and had many problems, since 1970’s or so… it was from F.Ledoux

      the new translator Daniel Lauzon is member of one of the other communities I manage , a special guest actually and I am lucky enough to be in contact with him and communicating with him a lot :)

      some Major changes in name “transposition” have been done which would seem very odd at first for those who have been used to the old translation but after some explanation the new nouns are more adapted actually

      for example, “Bilbon Sacquet” now becomes “Bilbo Besac”, la Forêt Noire (de Mirkwood) which in itself was not really a translation, now becomes “La Forêt de Grand’Peur” (because the elvish name of Mirkwood is Taur N’Daedelos which means the Forest of Great Fear) and it sounds better to have “Grand’Peur” than simply keeping Mirkwood or Foret Noire (which is actually a real german forest as everybody knows…)

      That does not mean everything will be retranslated but I think the new Hobbit translation will be adapted, in french, so that it targets the audience it was originally made to target in english : Young children…

      Now about derivated products that’s another story… I doubt things will migrate to the new translation anytime soon but in some years who knows….

      Actually the project of retranslating the LOTR (by the same translator) is a possibility, so that there is homogenity in the french versions of all major texts at least.

      I will keep you updated

      #24544
      Gildor
      MMP Elder

        For those of you who read french or are interested to know,

        In September/October a new translation of “The Hobbit” will be released (by Christian Bourgois Editions) , the official translation so far, had never been reworked and had many problems, since 1970’s or so… it was from F.Ledoux

        the new translator Daniel Lauzon is member of one of the other communities I manage , a special guest actually and I am lucky enough to be in contact with him and communicating with him a lot :)

        some Major changes in name “transposition” have been done which would seem very odd at first for those who have been used to the old translation but after some explanation the new nouns are more adapted actually

        for example, “Bilbon Sacquet” now becomes “Bilbo Besac”, la Forêt Noire (de Mirkwood) which in itself was not really a translation, now becomes “La Forêt de Grand’Peur” (because the elvish name of Mirkwood is Taur N’Daedelos which means the Forest of Great Fear) and it sounds better to have “Grand’Peur” than simply keeping Mirkwood or Foret Noire (which is actually a real german forest as everybody knows…)

        That does not mean everything will be retranslated but I think the new Hobbit translation will be adapted, in french, so that it targets the audience it was originally made to target in english : Young children…

        Now about derivated products that’s another story… I doubt things will migrate to the new translation anytime soon but in some years who knows….

        Actually the project of retranslating the LOTR (by the same translator) is a possibility, so that there is homogenity in the french versions of all major texts at least.

        I will keep you updated

        #24953
        Sam Wise
        Participant

          I think that’s a good new! (I knew it, but didn’t have information about the release date).
          I’m always depicted to hear or read “Bilbon” “Frodon” etc….
          The BD is the worth think I’ve read….

          #25708
          sevlag
          Participant

            Hello, I founf it on Amazon, here :
            http://www.amazon.fr/Le-hobbit-annot%C3%A9-Tolkien-Jrr/dp/226702389X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=6C37O4NSPFKR&coliid=I20KKI2PEY4KRQ
            The french description of this book :
            [small]Par rapport aux autres éditions du Hobbit (ou de Bilbo le Hobbit) en français, cette édition comporte une particularité supplémentaire, et décisive. Réalisée à partir de l’édition anglaise corrigée du texte de Tolkien (débarrassé de nombreuses coquilles en 1995), cette traduction du Hobbit annoté comporte, surtout, une nouvelle traduction (depuis longtemps attendue !) du Hobbit. Cette traduction inédite respecte les particularités du texte : son jeu avec les registres (du plus léger, au début du récit, vers des moments plus sombres, annonçant Le Seigneur des Anneaux qui prendra sa suite), la musicalité des chansons et poèmes ; mais, plus généralement, la traduction est débarrassée de toute lourdeur, et retrouve le dynamisme et l’entrain du texte anglais. Ce livre sera une redécouverte pour de nombreux lecteurs de Tolkien. On peut ajouter une remarque particulière sur les noms : les lecteurs qui apprécient Tolkien – le succès des Enfants de Húrin en 2008 a montré leur intérêt, sans parler même de la sortie du film de P. Jackson – seront heureux de découvrir que les noms anglais ont été retraduits en respectant les indications données par Tolkien dans le Guide to the Names, et en cohérence avec les volumes suivants dont Daniel Lauzon a assuré la traduction”[/small]
            I ordered it. When will the new translation of Lord of the Rings?

            #25709
            Gildor
            MMP Elder

              I personnaly know the new translator and the collection director (Vincent Ferré, and Daniel Lauzon as translator)

              All the names have been retranslated and do not match at all the “french canon” that was used by the old translation by Francis Ledoux. The LoTR is planned to be retranslated to in the same manner in some years.

              some new “names translation” can be shocking for french people who are not used to them… and the movie of the Hobbit in December will not use them but will use the “old ones” which will not necessarily help the reader…

              #25773
              sevlag
              Participant

                I receive my book.
                We see the different just to read the first paragraphe :
                Ancient version :
                “Dans un trou vivait un hobbit. Ce n’était pas un trou déplaisant, sale et humide, rempli de bouts de vers et d’une atmosphère suintante, non plus qu’un trou sec, nu, sablonneux, sans rien pour s’asseoir ni sur quoi manger : c’était un trou de hobbit, ce qui implique le confort.”
                New version :
                “Au fond d’un trou vivait un hobbit. Non pas un trou immonde, sale et humide, rempli de bouts de vers et de moisissures, ni encore un trou sec, dénudé, sablonneux, sans rien pour s’asseoir ni pour se nourrir : c’était un trou de hobbit, d’où un certain confort.”

                #25775
                Sam Wise
                Participant

                  honesty, I don’t like the new version of the beginning !
                  maybe it’s more closed to the english version, but I’ve read and quote this part so many times…..:(

                  I will buy the new version for sure, but I will not throw out the old one… for sure! :P

                  Thanks Severine!

                  #25779
                  Gildor
                  MMP Elder

                    the idea behind the new translation is to make the french hobbit more “children friendly” in… french.. and also to translated whatever is translate-able. which was not the case originally.

                    the french original translation of the hobbit may appear, sometimes, too serious and the style used in the text is not fit for yound children sometimes… while the new one is supposed to use more appropriate sentences… well that’s what I’ve been told…

                    #25781
                    Sam Wise
                    Participant

                      well… more for children or for new readers ????

                      do you think really that “”Au fond d’un trou vivait un Hobbit” is better than “Dans un trou dans la terre vivait un Hobbit” ?
                      (english version: “In a hole in the ground, lived a Hobbit” )

                      and that Bilbo Bessac is better than Bilbo Sacquet ?

                      The strangest think is that this new version is edited just now, just before the movie comes in the theaters ? :rolleyes:

                      #25782
                      Gildor
                      MMP Elder

                        well actually the release now may have a marketing strategy behind but I have been following the progress of the translation works for the Hobbit for almost a year now, and I was very skeptical about the names… but well, it seems the translation was needed somehow.
                        Bilbo Bessac is supposed to be more “singing” and play better on tongue because it is Bilbo Baggins into Bilbo Bessac … see the BB… instead of Sacquet which does not feel the same way in prononciation. (there were such explanations given)

                        I could copy you entires pages of analysis by the author who explained himself on his choices if you want :) that belongs to one of the other communities I manage (Ardalië, devoted to Tolkien books , works and new releases in french)

                        #25783
                        Sam Wise
                        Participant

                          Thanks Master Gildor! :)

                          I understand but perhaps I’m too nostalgic: for me Bilbo can’t have another name, he will always be “Bilbo Ssssssssssssacquet……. mon Préccccccieux, golum !”

                          :rolleyes: it’s hard to be older and older……

                          #25786
                          Milo
                          Participant

                            First sentence from The Hobbit is one of my favourite sentence (with Tom Bombadil’s poems).
                            To me, there was no need to change this translation part as the old french translation sounds funny, perfect for kids…,

                            Bilbo is a Baggins that’s all I konw. Why again trying to change names ? Again, there will be new divergence with LOTR french books…:/

                            I have to say, I doubt I will buy this book, except for curiosity purpose, or if my daughter asks for one.
                            Still, as I have read the original english version so many times, at least 15-20 times, I do not need any french translation.
                            So I guess I am not the appropriate french frog to critisize…

                            #25792
                            Gildor
                            MMP Elder

                              since I myself discovered and read the Lotr for the first time… in english, as a work for high school in “english” (as a french student…) , I will forever stick to the english names and the english style no matter what.

                              Now indeed like Milo I can’t be very “detached” about this new translation. but certainly this book is not meant for people like us…

                              #25796
                              sevlag
                              Participant

                                In my case, as I don’t speak English well enough, I never read the English version, so no a priori.
                                What made me buy this new edition, it’s not only the new translation, but it’s also what is around: there are many illustrations from different editions in different countries, annotations what inspired Tolkien ….
                                For now, I will not read it, I don’t have time. I will not read it until next year and I’ll tell you what I think …

                                #25798
                                Sam Wise
                                Participant
                                  sevlag wrote:
                                  In my case, as I don’t speak English well enough, I never read the English version, so no a priori.
                                  What made me buy this new edition, it’s not only the new translation, but it’s also what is around: there are many illustrations from different editions in different countries, annotations what inspired Tolkien ….
                                  For now, I will not read it, I don’t have time. I will not read it until next year and I’ll tell you what I think …

                                  +1 for the english version! :)
                                  I don’t speak good enough for that (not yet), I will certainly do in a few months, but even if I think that it’s interesting to have a new translation, I want to be always critic about “new versions”!
                                  I have the same attitude with other Tolkien’s Books and Tolkien’s relative works like movies (:P), fan’s works, etc…..

                                  All the explanations/ justifications about this new translation can’t change that !
                                  (we know all that P.J. had one for each missed /changed part in the LoTR movies !! :P)

                                  I’m sure, even the translator could have done a great and very documented work (and I respect that!), that it’s a marketing operation for sell books to new “fans”….
                                  (no sarcasm in my thoughts and words: I’m just realistic….. )

                                  (and like Master Milo said, Bilbo is always Bilbo Baggins, I don’t think that we have to change his name! and “Bessac” is awful in my mouth!)

                                  I think that I will buy the book today (fashion victim, I am ! :() because I would like to have more deception’s reasons ! (masochist, I am too ! :/ )
                                  and don’t forget:
                                  “In a hole in the ground, lived a Hobbit”

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                                MMP Mithril in Middle-Earth The Prancing Pony New French Hobbit Translation