Translating your book into another language

[Lacey Reah]

I've met a few people who suggested that I translate my book into another language. Some were very open to reading the book and marketing the book in Spanish. Does anyone know how to go about this?

[Irina Shapiro]

Hi. Lacey.  I think you have to be very careful with this.  You have to choose not only someone who is fluent, but someone who can grasp the metaphors and subtleties of your manuscript.  I don't speak Spanish, but I have read books in English that have been translated from my native Russian and found that half the time the translation just didn't live up to the original or failed to relate some important underlying messages.  When people say that things are lost in translation they are hitting the nail right on the head. 

 

Irina

www.irinashapiro.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Shapiro/307374895948375

[Darla Broadwater]

I agree with Irina. Look what happened to the Bible's translation and that was done by scholars. I think anytime you are translating something, things are going to get lost. It's worth a shot, though.

[Jaime Buckley]

Oh, I didn't consider that--thank you Irina, for bring this up!

[Lacey Reah]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. If I just went with a translation service, would the translation retain the style that it did when it was in English? After all, the words that an author chooses makes a huge difference.

[Julia Crane]

I had one of my books translated into Spanish. The English version sells well, but the Spanish not so much. I don't know if I'll ever make the money back from the translation cost. I was very excited about the idea, but so far it has fell flat. 

[Lacey Reah]

Thanks for your feedback! Did you go with a translation service or a personal contractor who did it for you?

[Julia Crane]

My husband has a friend who is spanish and also an English teacher. She did the translations and then we had spanish translators read it. She did a good job just a couple of issues had to be fixed. 

[Randall St. Germain]

Hi Lacey

Since my book took place on the Camino de Santiago across Spain, I am also interested in translation. However, I want something that is accurate. Once my ebook is released later this month (just paperback right now), I will look toward a Spanish translation. Probably will post on one of the freelance sites. I need to watch my costs.

I wish you the best

Randall

[Lacey Reah]

Let me know if you find anyone. Again, I don't want just anyone translating my book. It has too sound good.

[Lacey Reah]

Sorry it took me so long to read everyone's reply. Thank you everyone for commenting. I appreciate all the information.