This is a fascinating insight into the
translation of Spanish, both as a source language (to be translated) and as a target language (to be translated to). Vázquez-Ayora systematically introduces the concepts behind translation philosophy, and the particular problems which can be found in translating Spanish to English and vice-versa.
I believe the work should be a staple for anyone interested in translation who is already quite proficient in Spanish, as it is incredibly thorough, and takes you through such concepts as transferrance, amplification and concentration, which make the art of translation an incredibly skilled profession.
The author clearly has a great understanding of both cultures, as he reveals insights previously unnearthed in standard text-books. The use of applied linguistic diagrams break the text up and allows for difficult concepts to be absorbed by the reader. His transformational model for translation in chapter 2 serves as a basis for the approach of any budding translator, and with this in mind, the following explanation of different translation technique is clear and fascinating.
Unlike many theory books in the realm of linguistics, this book actually addresses the execution of translation, where theory is used but not exclusively looked at, so as to provide practical help for translators. The example texts are on every single page, so as to keep the engagement of the interested reader, and they range from poetry, to famous novels such as "One Hundred Years of Solitude" to political speeches, to every-day idioms. This book deserves attention, not only from the academic literati, but for anyone with an interest in Spanish or translation to start having a more serious look at the subject.
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