Analysis of Don Quijote
I strongly agree with Mishelle Fare that in order to analyze a translation work, we need to take into account three important elements: Time period, writing style and background of the writer.
Through out the four version of the translation of Don Quijote we can perceive the different writing style of the writer as well as the use of descriptive language. John Ormsby: Don Quixote (1885) translation, used words that make the story sound weir. For instance, lean hack, mutton, doublet…Well, that how it sounded to me when I first read it. I am sure that his writing style and language had captivated the reader of his time. Therefore, I agree with Mishelle Fare that Edith Grossman, (2003) translation is written in modern, simple and contemporary language. By doing so, Edith made her translation work more attractive to us that are the reader of her time.
Nevertheless, the background of the writer play an important role in his work. In the first place, we know for a fact that writers in England, in America or in Spain will aim their work to their people, meaning to the native country of the writer. Therefore they will use the most common language of their aimed market. Hence, the same translation of a word will not suit in every case.
Thus, the translator with the used of language are not only telling the story but trying tell the story as close to the original as possible in their place and time period.
Lucy Riera