• call_me_xale@lemmy.zip
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    2 hours ago

    I know this totally makes me “that guy”, but it could very well be a signed first edition of a specific translation of the Iliad.

    I don’t think I know anyone who cares that much about a translator’s signature, but who knows?

    • MyTurtleSwimsUpsideDown@fedia.io
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      4 hours ago

      Nerds do. I wouldn’t mind a signed copy of Tolkien’s Beowulf.

      That reminds me. A friend of mine translated a German Longsword fighting manual. I need to get her to sign my copy.

      • [object Object]@lemmy.world
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        1 hour ago

        About twenty years ago, I’ve read a hilarious rant by a translator of ‘Dune’, included with the translation itself. The dude complained that some lazy translators don’t account for the fact that English-speaking countries were deeply religious for millennia, and authors could rely on readers’ familiarity with the Bible — while translators in my language are generally less versed in it. He recounted that someone managed to translate the words ‘Mosaic law’ as ‘law of mosaic’, i.e. the art form, instead of ‘law of Moses’. I don’t remember the translator’s name (though I might have it written down somewhere in my notes), but his words are etched in my mind, and I wouldn’t mind reading more of his opinions. They’re also the reason why I myself at least tried reading the Bible.

          • TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com
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            1 hour ago

            It is a great tight translation to the text. Pope uses the Roman names for most of the characters which I find a turn off. But Pope’s translation is really tight considering his iambic AA BB CC limitations. It is really an amazing work of English.

  • Duamerthrax@lemmy.world
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    5 hours ago

    That sounds remarkably like a shitpost the writer put in to see if the audience or actors were paying attention.

    • BanMe@lemmy.world
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      3 hours ago

      A lot of hollywood writers and especially script doctors aren’t really well versed in literature or ancient world classics, it’s not germane to the form they produce. I know a hollywood writer and he certainly didn’t graduate with an MA in English.

      • Duamerthrax@lemmy.world
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        2 hours ago

        Those writers probably wouldn’t have referenced The Iliad then. This was either a writer’s joke or the script just had [insert prop book] in the script and The Iliad was what was handy.

    • Cort@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      Oh wow, that really is a first edition! All the later ones were signed: Homer Jay Simpson

  • CaptDust@sh.itjust.works
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    7 hours ago

    I had a first edition bible signed by everyone except Paul, that asshole. Flipped it for a cool $50 in a garage sale though.