Translation talk:Tales of Rabbi Nachman/1

Information about this edition
Edition:	Translation by SL, edited by Nissimnanach (talk)Nissimnanach
Source:
Contributor(s):	SL and Nissimnanach
Level of progress:	Proofread by Y.E. and re-editted by Nissimnanach
Notes:
Proofreaders:	Y.E.

Thanks to AYS for his translation

These are notes he attached:

Notes to the English-speaking editor: 1) The story omits the introductory phrase and the “amen, seleh” at the end. 2) the normal way to narrate dialogue in English has the quoted text appearing first, and the narration afterwards: “Let’s go,” he said. The original Yiddish form of narration is maintained: He said, “Let’s go.” If the text is published in English the narration form of the original should be altered to make it appropriate to the English convention, since the method of narration in the original does not constitute a form of personal expression by the author, rather he is only following the form of the language he is using. Nissimnanach (talk) 23:09, 25 September 2011 (UTC)Nissimnanach

Thanks to SL for draft

B"h In collaboration with a group, the AYS draft was replaced by the SL draft, which has now been edited by Nissimnanach (talk) 21:43, 9 October 2011 (UTC)Nissimnanach

Nissimnanach's goal for the translation has been:

1. Accuracy -- R. Natan said R. Nachman was very medayek, and we can be medayek with his words as with the Torah; this is especially important with the Tales, where we are told explicitly that whoever changes one word takes much from the story, etc.;
2. Readability -- #1 must sometimes be compromised (as little as possible) for this; and
3. Enjoyability -- make them as enjoyable as possible.

Thanks to Y.E. for Proofreading!

Our friend Y.E. did some great and painstaking proofreading and corrections, and I agreed with most of his edits but altered or revised some of them. To illustrate,

1. "And" at the beginning of sentences: Since every word of these stories was carefully weighed (see the Intros), we must be very careful and sparing in deviating from the literal translation. In general I try to keep the "and" when it occurs both in the Hebrew and Yiddish. Also, regarding the practice of each sentence beginning with "And," I heard in a shiur of R. Avigdor Miller on Varikra (And Hashem called to Moshe) that this signifies that the whole past, present, and future is one story and chain of events conducted by Hashem Yitbarakh's gracious providence for us.
2. Phrases in parentheses: Are so in the original, so I think we should keep to them.
3. Phrases in brackets: Clarification that is needed for the translation, which is not based on words in the texts should be added in brackets.
4. "... you will get money from there" -- Y.E. made this sound better by "...you will get money from within" however the text says sham or dart so let's stay with "there." There is probably a secret in this, sham implies several sodot, and "within" has other different meanings.

If Y.E. or anyone else feels strongly about these or other edits, we can discuss further... Nissimnanach (talk) 01:37, 4 November 2011 (UTC)Nissimnanach