Ugly Ducklings: Studies in the English Translations of Hans Christian Andersen's Tales and Stories (University of Southern Denmark Studies in Scandinavian Langu) [Hardcover]

Viggo Hjornager Pedersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2004 | Series: University of Southern Denmark Studies in Scandinavian Langu (Book 64)

This is a study of the major English translations of Hans Christian Andersen's "Tales and Stories", and of the people who made them. The basic assumption is that the translations are coloured by the personality and background of individual translators, as well as by the general literary climate around them. Therefore, the moment Andersen came to be seen as a children's writer pure and simple, important parts of his message and significant aspects of his style were ignored. The author explores this process, at the same time demonstrating the interdependence of the English translations, many of which prove to have been made with little or no use of the original Danish text.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Southern Denmark (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8778388562
• ISBN-13: 978-8778388568
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,017,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly researched account, October 5, 2004

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ugly Ducklings: Studies in the English Translations of Hans Christian Andersen's Tales and Stories (University of Southern Denmark Studies in Scandinavian Langu) (Hardcover)

In Ugly Ducklings?: Studies In The English Translations Of Hans Christian Andersen's Tales And Stories, Viggo Pedersen carefully studies the major English translations of Hans Christian Andersen's timeless stories, and of the people who created the translations. Working from the assumption that the personality and background of the translator, as well as the literary climate of the day, strongly affected the translations themselves, Ugly Duckings? superbly demonstrates how different English translations have affected one another - especially given that many were made with little or no reference to the original Danish text. A thoroughly researched account that covers the efforts of virtually every well-known translator of Andersen's work from 1846-1907, contemporary translations, and common translation problems such as pragmatics, syntax, vocabulary, and phraseology, Ugly Ducklings? is a superb and thoughtful contribution to linguistics and literature shelves, as well as a "must-read" for any interested in up-close study and literary analysis of Andersen's classics.