How Do Translated Books Change a Book from What It Was Before?

 

Translated books may change a text from what it was before because the grammar and sentence structure may differ. This may affect the overall book because of some grammar inaccuracies or questionable sentence structure. Although it may be readable and perhaps understandable, it does not account for appreciation for the said language. There are also factors such as certain words in the book’s official language dictionary not existing in other languages. For example, a word in English may not be available in Bangla. There also remains the fact that translated books may not be appealing to individuals who usually converse in other languages. 

 

For example, a suicidal book may be interesting to a reader of another language, but they’d be unaware the actual book was written in English. Speaking of suicidal books, books with dark topics that may seem as taboo in certain countries due to religious or cultural aspects may be altered or hidden. For example, a girl going through depression and having frequent suicidal, self-harm and other thoughts may have her thoughts hidden and only talk about the overall outcome, which ends on a positive note. Lastly, books translated from non-English or non-European languages may not show that it’s a product of a certain country, for example, the English translation of a Bangla book getting reviews and praised around the world as an American book.

Regardless of these factors, there are also positive things that come with it.  For example, actually going through topics that are not pleasing to society. This gives the audience from the particular place comfort from what they may be going through, or go through diverse cultures and understand how their society is. This develops our intercultural understanding.