Simon Hugh Wheeler's Blog, page 9
February 5, 2013
Danke Deutschland!
The Germans seem to love me! With my free book promotion for Loosely Translated, I'm at No. 1 in English books/Humour, on Amazon.de. They've downloaded more than double what the Brits have.
Talking about Germans and translation, a word that for me, demonstrates just one of the many languages that shapes English, is the German word for submarine: Unterseeboot, (under sea boat). English certainly isn't a pedigree language; rather, a mongrel, Heinz 57 Varieties mixture of tongues. If you've ever taught English, you'd understand how frustrating it is with so many exceptions and not much rhyme or reason.
Final two days to get my book free on Amazon.
Auf Wiedersehen
Talking about Germans and translation, a word that for me, demonstrates just one of the many languages that shapes English, is the German word for submarine: Unterseeboot, (under sea boat). English certainly isn't a pedigree language; rather, a mongrel, Heinz 57 Varieties mixture of tongues. If you've ever taught English, you'd understand how frustrating it is with so many exceptions and not much rhyme or reason.
Final two days to get my book free on Amazon.
Auf Wiedersehen
February 1, 2013
Loosely translated movie titles
Many Spanish people scratch their heads at the “wisdom” of Spanish film distributors who make shocking translations of movie titles that have nothing to do with the original, or simply sound daft.
A prime example of this is the X-Men spin-off, Wolverine. A wolverine is a distinctly savage member of the weasel family, not a wolf at all and certainly not a lobezno as in the Spanish title, which means, as I’m sure Hugh Jackman would be unimpressed to discover, wolf cub – a cute ball of fluff instead of a flesh-tearing beast. Strangely, wolverine translates as glotón (glutton), which sounds more like a pizza-tearing beast.
For more creative translations, check out my romantic comedy, Loosely Translated, where a Spanish translator meets the author of the awful detective series that she has "improved". If that sounds like your cup of tea, buy me a couple of beers - that's about how much the book costs, and you'll get that warm, fuzzy feeling of helping out an indie author. Cheers!
Loosely Translated at Amazon.com
A prime example of this is the X-Men spin-off, Wolverine. A wolverine is a distinctly savage member of the weasel family, not a wolf at all and certainly not a lobezno as in the Spanish title, which means, as I’m sure Hugh Jackman would be unimpressed to discover, wolf cub – a cute ball of fluff instead of a flesh-tearing beast. Strangely, wolverine translates as glotón (glutton), which sounds more like a pizza-tearing beast.
For more creative translations, check out my romantic comedy, Loosely Translated, where a Spanish translator meets the author of the awful detective series that she has "improved". If that sounds like your cup of tea, buy me a couple of beers - that's about how much the book costs, and you'll get that warm, fuzzy feeling of helping out an indie author. Cheers!
Loosely Translated at Amazon.com
January 31, 2013
Pro critique
I had a critique from a professional in the publishing industry!
We've been working on the Spanish translation of Loosely Translated and thru contacts, got someone who works as a translator for various Spanish publishers to take a look at my book. They gave us some suggestions in regards to the translation, but also commented on the story: nicely written, good rhythm and connects well with the reader. It gives me hope that I'm doing something right!
Loosely Translated is a romantic comedy, where a Spanish translator meets the author of the awful detective series that she has "improved". If that sounds like your cup of tea, buy me a couple of beers - that's about how much the book costs, and you'll get that warm, fuzzy feeling of helping out an indie author. Cheers!
Loosely Translated at Amazon.com
We've been working on the Spanish translation of Loosely Translated and thru contacts, got someone who works as a translator for various Spanish publishers to take a look at my book. They gave us some suggestions in regards to the translation, but also commented on the story: nicely written, good rhythm and connects well with the reader. It gives me hope that I'm doing something right!
Loosely Translated is a romantic comedy, where a Spanish translator meets the author of the awful detective series that she has "improved". If that sounds like your cup of tea, buy me a couple of beers - that's about how much the book costs, and you'll get that warm, fuzzy feeling of helping out an indie author. Cheers!
Loosely Translated at Amazon.com
January 28, 2013
Husky
My wife has been busy translating, (more or less!) my book, Loosely Translated.
She did have a moment's confusion with the line: "I love you", she said, in a husky voice.
My wife wondered what the hell I was trying to say. "A husky is a dog that pulls sleds in the snow, isn't it?"
Conjures up an interesting image.
That line is from the character Mike's overheated dream - I wouldn't seriously write something so cheesy as that!
Here's a link to the book, a romantic comedy, where a Spanish translator meets the author of the awful detective series that she has "improved". If that sounds like your cup of tea, buy me a couple of beers - that's about how much the book costs, and you'll get that warm, fuzzy feeling of helping out an indie author. Cheers!
Loosely Translated at Amazon.com
She did have a moment's confusion with the line: "I love you", she said, in a husky voice.
My wife wondered what the hell I was trying to say. "A husky is a dog that pulls sleds in the snow, isn't it?"
Conjures up an interesting image.
That line is from the character Mike's overheated dream - I wouldn't seriously write something so cheesy as that!
Here's a link to the book, a romantic comedy, where a Spanish translator meets the author of the awful detective series that she has "improved". If that sounds like your cup of tea, buy me a couple of beers - that's about how much the book costs, and you'll get that warm, fuzzy feeling of helping out an indie author. Cheers!
Loosely Translated at Amazon.com
January 25, 2013
Welcome to my world?
G'day or Hola, depending on if I'm wearing my Aussie hat or my sombrero.
I won't go into a long intro on my first blog post - you'll get to know me. I do want to let you know that I've got a book giveaway coming up on the 2nd - 6th Feb. Loosely Translated will be available on Amazon. A romantic comedy set mainly in Spain. Watch this space for more.
A wee thought in relation to words and translation:
Now that we are recovering from the hangover induced by too much festive spirit, a final thought about Xmas: why is Santa Claus spelt with an "a"? Shouldn't he be called Saint, San or Santo? Santa is feminine. Does that mean he is a cross-dresser, or he's got snow balls?
More mental meanderings soon.
Simon.
I won't go into a long intro on my first blog post - you'll get to know me. I do want to let you know that I've got a book giveaway coming up on the 2nd - 6th Feb. Loosely Translated will be available on Amazon. A romantic comedy set mainly in Spain. Watch this space for more.
A wee thought in relation to words and translation:
Now that we are recovering from the hangover induced by too much festive spirit, a final thought about Xmas: why is Santa Claus spelt with an "a"? Shouldn't he be called Saint, San or Santo? Santa is feminine. Does that mean he is a cross-dresser, or he's got snow balls?
More mental meanderings soon.
Simon.
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