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Birdland · 03-10-2002, 08:37 AM

These are all so interesting! And Gabo cv, go ahead and discuss comparisons between Finnish and Hungarian. I thought that was interesting, too.

This has all brought up some questions though. I notice a lot of translations choose the word "destiny", which in English can be read as a rather neutral word, instead of "doom", with has a much harsher connotation. What would the word "doomed" be, and why wouldn't the translators use that?

Baggins and Bag End - In old English, "Bag" has connotations of collecting, or taking something. A "bag man" would be a thief. (Which makes sense when you read The Hobbit). To "bag" an animal means to hunt and shoot it, etc. I always thought that to translate it literally as a bag or sack was kind of unimaginative. Though I guess these translation were approved by Tolkien.

And Maeglin (ooops! Meant Melian) - I wondered about the translation "to govern them" myself. Why not use "to rule" (regentar), or would there be even an older word that would sound scarier?

[ March 10, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[ March 10, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

03-10-2002, 08:37 AM	#27
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	These are all so interesting! And Gabo cv, go ahead and discuss comparisons between Finnish and Hungarian. I thought that was interesting, too. This has all brought up some questions though. I notice a lot of translations choose the word "destiny", which in English can be read as a rather neutral word, instead of "doom", with has a much harsher connotation. What would the word "doomed" be, and why wouldn't the translators use that? Baggins and Bag End - In old English, "Bag" has connotations of collecting, or taking something. A "bag man" would be a thief. (Which makes sense when you read The Hobbit). To "bag" an animal means to hunt and shoot it, etc. I always thought that to translate it literally as a bag or sack was kind of unimaginative. Though I guess these translation were approved by Tolkien. And Maeglin (ooops! Meant Melian) - I wondered about the translation "to govern them" myself. Why not use "to rule" (regentar), or would there be even an older word that would sound scarier? [ March 10, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ] [ March 10, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]