[Adonai-]

Well, good news for us (a brief scan couldn't turn this up in other topics but it may have already been put out there) - looks like there's actual dates given for the next two books to be released in English. 20th of June for Time of Contempt, and 15th of August for Baptism of Fire, according to Book Depository.

Of course, that's just a retailer's database (I used to work at Borders, I know how much that's worth) but it seems the games have given the series enough hype to kick the publisher's backside into gear (and does this cover look familiar?)

[Burratus]

cmdr_flashheart said:

I am sorry, but I know people who tell me quite the opposite about the official translations- that they do not represent the original work accurately. We run into the problem of taste, perception, and preference here, which is different for every reader.



I don't know Polish, so I cannot read and compare these books. I know from experience, however, that translations never measure up to the original work because of the nature of languages and culture. Mainly, I am also going on hearsay regarding these books.

Anyone who does translations will tell you that the translator is likely to transfer their own perception and style to whatever work they are translating. That's why it's important to ensure only very capable people translate important works, and also with feedback and editing from the author, in order to prevent that sort of transference. This process ensures integrity of vision and thought.

I am not saying that the fan translations will not offer enjoyment to whoever reads them, but it's quite unlikely that they resemble the original work in every facet.

My understanding of Sapowski's work is that it is not comprised of simple stories, but also has a philosophical nature. Philosophies do not lend themselves to be easily translated, even if someone is fluent in the language of interest.

Well hey, this is all for entertainment, so whatever. My initial reaction to the amateur translation idea compelled me to go into this whole spiel, but it is unnecessary for this case. ›››

I know that this is going to sound crazy, but if you don't like fan translations then don't read them. You're not doing anyone any favors by ranting and making comparisons. Either wait for the official translations or learn to read Polish, otherwise you're just wasting people's time by poking fun at translations that people spent numerous hours translating.

[cmdr_silverbolt]

You're actually aligned with the popular opinion, so don't worry about looking crazy. I was compelled by my purist tendencies to question the nature of the fan translations, it wasn't a rant or an attempt at a mean joke. This would really only matter to someone if they care about the stories they read. But I realize how an objective argument can look like a personal attack on this community, since everyone here is a loyal fan and supportive of other members. My advice is to take a step back and try to be objective, and of course we're all free to make up our minds regardless

[Corylea]

cmdr_flashheart said:

I realize how an objective argument can look like a personal attack on this community, ›››

Your opinion is your opinion, and it is no more "objective" than anyone else's opinion. You're entitled to your opinion -- feel free to state it -- but you're not entitled to say that your opinion is objective and everyone else is deluded.

[cmdr_silverbolt]

Mine is a non-influenced perspective, I meant objective in that sense. My words are not as harsh as you're coloring them. Like I said, take a step back.

To reiterate, here's what I was saying about the fan translations: that it is likely that they do not resemble the original work in every facet due to the nature of languages and culture. There's also the fact that every translator has the tendency to impose their own perspective and style on the work being translated. I am not making these things up, and you can ask anyone who does translations about whether or not this holds merit.

That said, I feel stupid for bringing this up here and continuing this discussion.

[secondchildren]

cmdr_flashheart said:

Mine is a non-influenced perspective, I meant objective in that sense. My words are not as harsh as you're coloring them. Like I said, take a step back.

Uhm... excuse me? Coz I am reading that a moderator is telling you to rephrase with less arrogance and be possibly disposed in listening to another's opinion.

[Bloth]

Translations i've read here are better than Blood of Elves and Last Wish that I bought from Waterstones in my own opinion.

[cmdr_silverbolt]

It's a bad on my part if it seems like I am being arrogant or pig-headed, I made an off hand comment regarding stories and translations which blew up and has evidently been misconstrued as an attack. I don't know what it will take for us to move on.

[Ward Dragon]

Adonai- said:

Well, good news for us (a brief scan couldn't turn this up in other topics but it may have already been put out there) - looks like there's actual dates given for the next two books to be released in English. 20th of June for Time of Contempt, and 15th of August for Baptism of Fire, according to Book Depository.

Of course, that's just a retailer's database (I used to work at Borders, I know how much that's worth) but it seems the games have given the series enough hype to kick the publisher's backside into gear (and does this cover look familiar?) ›››

Awesome Amazon has Time of Contempt available for Pre-order with a release date of August 27th. It also has two other versions with release dates of June 20th and July 11th from different publishers, so I don't know if that's a mistake or if there really are three different versions of the book. Anyhow, the point is it's coming out this summer And there's a page for Baptism of Fire too, although it doesn't have any price or release date information yet.

Also, they seem to have re-released The Last Wish and Blood of Elves with Witcher 2 cover art as well

I think I'll finish reading the fan translations of the last two books, then once all the books are officially available in English I'll reread the whole series

Edit: Also, did they say who did the translations for Time of Contempt and Baptism of Fire? Is it the same person who did The Last Wish and Blood of Elves?

I can't read Polish so I don't know firsthand how the translations compare to the originals, but I enjoyed the first two books. However I know a lot of people didn't, so I was wondering if they changed the translator for the remaining books.

This post has been edited by Ward Dragon: 10.02.2013 @ 00:32

[Adonai-]

Ward Dragon said:

Edit: Also, did they say who did the translations for Time of Contempt and Baptism of Fire? Is it the same person who did The Last Wish and Blood of Elves?

No idea on the translator, unfortunately. I got my info from the UK site Book Depository and it wouldn't surprise me if the UK editions were published before the US editions.

Oh, and to cmdr_flashheart - the fan translations available here do compare favourably to the official translations, and actually succeed a bit more in drawing out the dry, understated humour of the originals (Slightly less so for The Sword of Destiny, although I believe that collection of short stories was translated by other people at some point in the past).

[pronefroz]

Blood of the Elves?

[Cassandra31EEE]

pronefroz said:

Blood of the Elves? ›››

I 'm not sure what you 're asking. Blood of Elves and The Last Wish are for the moment the only two officially trasnlated (in English) books of the series. You can find them in most bookstores.

[The Elder King]

I first want to say thanks to the guys who provided the translations :
I nearly finished Th Sword of Destiny, and I'm planning to read as soon as possible Times of Contempt. Since I can't buy the two translated books at the moment, could someone post in a spoiler tag (or send me a PM) an extended summary of Blood of Elves?

[Corylea]

The Elder King said:

Since I can't buy the two translated books at the moment, could someone post in a spoiler tag (or send me a PM) an extended summary of Blood of Elves? ›››

The Witcher Wiki is your friend.

[The Elder King]

Corylea said:

The Witcher Wiki is your friend. /> ›››

Thanks! Since the wiki isn't that detailed in the info about games, I thought that the summary of the books wouldn't be good. I'm glade to be wrong :

[JimSmyth]

I have just read through Lady of the Lake. Thanks for the translation. I noticed many little grammatical errors and typos in this translation, at least more than the other translations posted in the OP. I would be more than happy to fix these as a way of thanks and contribution. Just need the original ms word file from the person that did the translation. Again many thank to all that took the time to translate these works into English.

[Destroyraiden]

I've been reading and catching up with the books, thanks translators! But I have a questions are they all complete now? With the new format I'm now lost as to the updates I was last on the lady of the lake is this book finished now too?

[Corylea]

Destroyraiden said:

I've been reading and catching up with the books, thanks translators! But I have a questions are they all complete now? With the new format I'm now lost as to the updates I was last on the lady of the lake is this book finished now too? ›››

Yes, they're all done. Many thanks to Asheral!

[Senteria]

I took a look at the documents online and I really want to read them but at the same time, I feel like I'll be reading spoilers for the upcoming game. So yeah, I don't know exactly if I should read or not.

[cmdr_silverbolt]

Whether you read the books now or wait, either way you'll spoil something for yourself- the books or game. My advice: wait to read the books. There's so much that goes on in the books than what's shown in the game, and there's also the fact that Sapowski's books will differ from the game. In my view, the story of the books and games is separate, so they should be enjoyed separately. You're free to do whatever you like, of course