'Harper' in other language translations - A Meeting of Minds

Daccio · Jun 18 2014, 08:31 PM

One of my hobbies is to translate short parts of books I'm reading into Esperanto. It's good for the mind and my language ability. One thing I'm really stuck on is how to translate 'Harper'. A literal translation would leave the craft as musicians who do nothing but play the harp.

How do the Pern books in languages other than English handle this term?

Thanks,
Daccio

Lily · Jun 18 2014, 09:25 PM

An interesting question. I would not be surprised if other languages do not translate the term to mean what it means on Pern as "Harper" has so many meanings.

***Hans*** · Jun 19 2014, 03:55 AM

Isn't that is always the problem? With my (and other people's) translation into Dutch we chose for the word 'Bard' which has a wider connotation as storyteller/writer/performer/poet than Harper has. Also because Harper isn't translatable into Dutch because the translation would merely mean 'harp player'. I guess you have that same problem with Esperanto. Because of the character of that language (more or less a melting pot) I am guessing that the esperanto equivalent of Bard would be a good alternative for Harper. Another translation I considered was 'troubadour'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bard

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troubadour

Golden Talisath · Jun 20 2014, 03:42 PM

In Serbian, they translated it rather literaly: as a person who plays a harp

Though I suppose the term then would be harpist

***Hans*** · Jun 21 2014, 03:14 AM

They did that in many languages, in french Robinton is a Maitre Harpiste

In german too but there they chose Harfner, a more archaic version that, I must say, sounds nice.

If I have time I wiil peek in my many translations, Daccio, but I also have books I can not read

like Thai and Hebrew.

Daccio · May 5 2015, 03:51 PM

Firstly, I'd like to thank those of you who responded to this thread.

Secondly, I want to sincerely apologize for not replying sooner. Even though I was subscribed to this thread the whole time, I do not recall ever getting a notification of any replies. Then life took me away from it all and I forgot to check back.

I think Bard is the best route to go to answer my original query. The Dragonrider books have a very Celtic flavor, as you all know, and the word 'bardo' in Esperanto is defined as a Celtic singer and poet. Well suited to the purpose of a Harper.

Now on to my next sticky translation problem.

Jun 18 2014, 08:31 PM	#1
Daccio Crafter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Jersey, USA Fan of: All the Weyrs of Pern Now Reading: The Two Georges	'Harper' in other language translations One of my hobbies is to translate short parts of books I'm reading into Esperanto. It's good for the mind and my language ability. One thing I'm really stuck on is how to translate 'Harper'. A literal translation would leave the craft as musicians who do nothing but play the harp. How do the Pern books in languages other than English handle this term? Thanks, Daccio __________________ (Semi unorganized) Playlists of Real World Harper Songs on YouTube (Nascent) Wiki for Real World Harper Songs Glimpses of Pern books in Esperanto.

Jun 18 2014, 09:25 PM	#2
Lily Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellywood, New Zealand	Re: 'Harper' in other language translations An interesting question. I would not be surprised if other languages do not translate the term to mean what it means on Pern as "Harper" has so many meanings. __________________ Coffee: Chocolate: Men: Some things are just better rich

Jun 19 2014, 03:55 AM	#3
*Hans* Master Archivist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Netherlands Fan of: Pern!	Re: 'Harper' in other language translations Isn't that is always the problem? With my (and other people's) translation into Dutch we chose for the word 'Bard' which has a wider connotation as storyteller/writer/performer/poet than Harper has. Also because Harper isn't translatable into Dutch because the translation would merely mean 'harp player'. I guess you have that same problem with Esperanto. Because of the character of that language (more or less a melting pot) I am guessing that the esperanto equivalent of Bard would be a good alternative for Harper. Another translation I considered was 'troubadour'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troubadour __________________ Hans, also known as Elrhan, Master Archivist Visit The Pern Museum & Archives for all your Pern and Anne McCaffrey News and Resources! The Pern Museum & Archives is the home of the Pern Encyclopedia and the Pern Bloodlines. Last edited by Hans; Jun 21 2014 at 03:13 AM.

Jun 20 2014, 03:42 PM	#4
Golden Talisath Dragonrider storyteller Junior Weyrwoman Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Serbia Fan of: F'lar and Lessa, DF Now Reading: My university books	Re: 'Harper' in other language translations In Serbian, they translated it rather literaly: as a person who plays a harp Though I suppose the term then would be harpist __________________ *"Manuscripts don't burn", Woland, ''The Master and Margarita*'' From the Weyr and from the Bowl Bronze and Brown and Blue and Green, Rise the dragonmen of Pern, Aloft, on wing, seen, then unseen. Dragonman avoid excess Greed will bring the Weyr distress; To the ancient Laws adhere, Prospers thus the Dragon-weyr.

Jun 21 2014, 03:14 AM	#5
*Hans* Master Archivist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The Netherlands Fan of: Pern!	Re: 'Harper' in other language translations They did that in many languages, in french Robinton is a Maitre Harpiste In german too but there they chose Harfner, a more archaic version that, I must say, sounds nice. If I have time I wiil peek in my many translations, Daccio, but I also have books I can not read like Thai and Hebrew. __________________ Hans, also known as Elrhan, Master Archivist Visit The Pern Museum & Archives for all your Pern and Anne McCaffrey News and Resources! The Pern Museum & Archives is the home of the Pern Encyclopedia and the Pern Bloodlines.

May 5 2015, 03:51 PM	#6
Daccio Crafter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Jersey, USA Fan of: All the Weyrs of Pern Now Reading: The Two Georges	Re: 'Harper' in other language translations Firstly, I'd like to thank those of you who responded to this thread. Secondly, I want to sincerely apologize for not replying sooner. Even though I was subscribed to this thread the whole time, I do not recall ever getting a notification of any replies. Then life took me away from it all and I forgot to check back. I think Bard is the best route to go to answer my original query. The Dragonrider books have a very Celtic flavor, as you all know, and the word 'bardo' in Esperanto is defined as a Celtic singer and poet. Well suited to the purpose of a Harper. Now on to my next sticky translation problem. __________________ (Semi unorganized) Playlists of Real World Harper Songs on YouTube (Nascent) Wiki for Real World Harper Songs Glimpses of Pern books in Esperanto.

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