Nopileos: A novel from the X-Universe: (X4: Foundations Edition 2018) (X Series)
Page 42
Translation is different.
For one thing, each and every single sentence is a dozen choices, none of them necessarily right or wrong. My job is to read the original story, decide how it feels in German, and then make up some English that feels the same way. Or as close as possible. So I have to write in a voice. The author’s voice, ideally, but potentially, with a lot of my own voice.
Being a translator is like performing in a cover band, singing a song worth singing for a new audience.
I had some advantages. First, Egosoft was very helpful even while they were trying to get a new game out. Bernd Lehahn answered a bunch of questions about the project before I started. I got copies of the first two novels in German, as well as the games (but not X4, sorry, I’m waiting along with all of you). The first novel, Farnham’s Legend, was of course quite skillfully translated into English with the help of many dedicated community members on Egosoft’s forums. I got put in touch with Helge Kautz, who spent a lot of his own time reviewing my translations and offering feedback.
As an author, I know that when I go back and reread an old story, I get to read it as though someone else wrote it. Helge got to do the same thing, because he was reading my translation! As grateful as I was to have him around to ask questions, I was very nervous about what he would think of my translation. Was it good enough? Would he understand if I had to make radical changes?
It didn’t last. He was happy to trust me to do what it took to make a pleasant read, and I was able to relax. Through emails and document comments, we talked about the book and made snarky comments and jokes about strange phrases and translation errors, and he didn’t give me a hard time when he was catching my rough draft-style typos. Well, maybe twice, but with really funny comments. He was at all times an incredible collaborator to have, and he made an exciting job way more fun.
Actually, there is still one “error” in the book. I didn’t recognize an in-game trading item and made a complete guess to translate what it might be. I figured Helge would laugh and correct me. But he liked it and said to keep it in! So there it remains. And that’s your one easter egg! I learned other little secrets and stories about inspiration, but secrets they will remain. But as mistakes go, that one I’m proud of. So I’ll hide behind Helge there, but the blame will have to fall on me for any other changes that made it through.
This book was a fantastic introduction to the X-Universe! And having read it, I’m looking forward to reading the next. For all of you who had to wait until now to read it, I hope you enjoyed the ride!
Helge enthusiastically wanted me to have an afterword in the book, so I’ll thank a couple people and keep it short.
First of all, Bernd Lehahn and the tireless programmers at Egosoft who have built this universe over so many years. While the books and games don’t always match up perfectly, it’s just that kind of freedom that an open world game gives to each and every play to make the story their own. I promised Bernd I wouldn’t get horribly addicted to the games before I finished the translations, so now’s my chance. And thanks to Helge Kautz, who was one of the nicest and generous authors I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Thanks for all the jokes and laughs!
I’d like to thank my family for putting up with me at the beginning and at the end when I was in crunch time and sometimes a little more grouchy than usual. So thanks Mom, and thanks John, and thanks to all my friends who saw me a lot less often. Thanks to Ryan, Ralph, and David for putting up with my running commentary of “interesting” German sentences and translations. And thanks to Alexander, whose first reaction to hearing the news was “How are you even qualified to do that? Your German is terrible!” Well that’s okay—you remind me of Ion Battler, except he’s smarter than you. Ich hab' dich trotzdem lieb, Knabe! And last but not least, I would certainly like to thank Simon Ellis, who not only introduced me to Egosoft, but whose work on Farnham’s Legend and the X-Encyclopedia were invaluable in helping me make sure that readers and gamers will recognize who and what I’m talking about it when it comes to ships, governments, and so on.
And thanks to you, dear reader, for waiting so patiently for the chance to read it. The Egosoft forums are full of creative, amazing fans, and that makes any game more special. Do I realize how lucky I was to be a part of that through this book? Ja—und ja!
Nathan
Lake Forest, November 2018
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Nathan Haineshttps://www.nhaines.com/