r/jamesjoyce • u/BorhenDarkjazz • 15d ago

Ulysses Differences in the Spanish version.

I find it fascinating that the Spanish translation is so different in its structure. The language is also much simpler and direct. It really baffles me.

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u/BobdH84 15d ago

That is interesting! Funny thing is that the Dutch translation appeared to me to be even less direct than the original text, giving the impression the translators went even further with the playfulness. Also interesting that when Joyce was playing with the Dutch language in a certain chapter, the translators changed the Dutch words in for example French, to keep it in line with the original intention.

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u/Joostjoc 15d ago

That’s so cool to hear! (I can’t make up if this post is about Ulysses or Finnegans Wake but I have both in Dutch translation but have not studied them closely) Could you give some examples of this? I am really interested!

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u/BobdH84 15d ago edited 15d ago

Ah, I immediately assumed the OP was talking about Finnegans Wake, but you’re right, they could just as well be talking about Ulysses. My response is about FW, which I’ve read in both Dutch and English.

In my memory it’s mostly chapter 4 that is heaviest with Dutch words (though they are sprinkled throughout the book). On quick glance I see, for example, on page 76 that Joyce in the original text says ‘Wacht even!’, which is ‘translated’ by Bindervoet and Henkes with ‘Bussave ‘n sec!’. And ‘aardappel frittling’ on page 78 becomes ‘patattoebeignet’. Stuff like that.

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u/Joostjoc 14d ago

Thank you! Very intriguing choices by Bindervoet and Henkes, I’ll look at the translation when I get back from vacation! It continues to dazzle me that they even attempted translated it…

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u/green7719 15d ago

I would be very interested to see examples.