Some remarks; on translations from Hungarian into foreign languages

Abstract

Various problems in translating Hungarian texts into foreign languages are being analysed by author on tbe strength of his vest experience which he has acquired as translator and reader over a period of more than ten years. Deficiencies and shortcomings to be met with in the work of translators, technical readers and linguistic revisers, as well as their underlying causes are illustrated by several striking examples. The extent of the technical reader's obligation in correcting a given text is being discussed, followed by a detailed scrutiny of the errors arising from the inaccuracies of the original Hungarian texts.
Author suggests a closer co-operation of translators, technical readers and linguistic revisers in preparing translations; he proposes technical readers' helping translators all along their work as consultants, instead of reviewing the completed translations, as is the current practice. Further, translators and readers are advised to read as many journals as possible and to make notes not only of isolated technical terms which may be of interest, but also of their entire contextual applications. Author finally proposes that translators translate into one single foreign language only, while turning to account their command of further foreign languages by rendering foreign texts into their mother tongue.