More on the movie when I have a moment to collect my thoughts, but my overall response: staggering. (Yes, I could try juggling multiple copies in the library. After her long stint as an international civil servant and traveling the world for 22 years, she has aggressively pursued her interest in writing and research. Hugo’s highly complex characters such as Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Cosette and Eponine have become popular all around the world. Bernadine Racoma is a senior content writer at Day Translations, a human translation services company. any help? i have a new les mis from barnes and noble classics hardcover, but i cannot find what translation it is. Wilbour's translation, though a bit archaic in its language at times, stays fairly true to the original French version. In whatever language or adaptation, Les Misérables is an enduring classic. Les Misérables is considered one of the longest running musicals in the world, with a 25th anniversary production in 2010. Collaborative Dictionary French-English. You can complete the translation of les misérables given by the French-English Collins dictionary with other dictionaries such as: Wikipedia, Lexilogos, Larousse dictionary, Le Robert, Oxford, Grévisse . Mona Sabalones Gonzalez from Philippines on October 12, 2016: I never knew there were so many translations of Les Miserables, and I appreciate your explaining how each translation differs from the other. For example, during one of the several chapters on the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon is quoted as calling the Duke of Wellington, "ce petit anglais" -- "that little Englishman." . You probably find the accent sexy, their sense of style appealing and the whole situation…, Are you interested in translation work? By far, the best translation is the one by Christine Donougher from 2013. Rose changes this insult to "that little British git." It’s pretty easy to read as some of the longer tangents and entire sections are moved or deleted as to avoid confusion but it … How Long Does it Take to Become a U.S. Citizen? I simply wish for excerpts in the original French, then a comparison of each translator's version. Does anyone know which translation he is reading? Get exclusive access to industry news, discounts and deals straight to your inbox, The lovable characters from “Despicable Me” are finally having their spin off movie. The 2012 film version features some of the most notable actors in Hollywood, led by Hugh Jackman. By 1987, it hit Broadway earning it a total of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. The main point of this translation, according to Norman Denny himself, is to capture the original intent and spirit of Victor Hugo, rather than the word-for-word translation of the text. LES MISERABLES Original Lobby Cards x15 - Directed by Robert Hossein with Lino Ventura. The Top Languages Spoken in the U.S. is Changing. He wrote as if Victor Hugo was writing in English. Not to be outdone, TV adaptations were also made, such as the one starring Liam Neeson in 1998, and a miniseries featuring Gerard Depardieu in 2000. However, it differs in that this translation goes farther to also translate more of the French terms Wilbour does not, such as the argot slang Hugo explores. If Norman Denny is still alive I want to thank him for his excellent translation of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. You Better be Aware of These 7 Details, The Top Ten Sexiest Languages in the World, 13 Things You Need to Know About Dating a Latino. The critics may not have loved it, but the people certainly did. .I was hoping someone would do it here & I could be a bit lazy & benefit from your efforts.). When Hugo’s novel first came out, it was a critical failure but a commercial success. The first step to finding a copy of Les Miserables best suited for your needs is deciding whether you want an abridged translation or unabridged translation. What Are The Most Important Languages of The 21st Century? Emile Baynard's famous illustration of little Cosette. It was even translated into various languages including Greek, Italian and Portuguese. Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time. It is not apparent on the Naxos label. Often, however, this includes the word order of the French language, which makes the English version a little choppy or hard to understand. Are you thinking of becoming a certified translator soon? Idioms all seemed to be appropriate all the way through the novel. So what…, Are you dating a Latino? 6 examples & then I will decide for myself. Languages of The Bible – What Language Did Jesus Speak? C. E. Wilbour Translation C. E. Wilbour created the first English translation of Les Miserables in 1863, just the following year after the original novel was first published. By 1962, it made its English translation debut. In 2014, there will be a Broadway revival. With Reverso you can find the French translation, definition or synonym for les miserables and thousands of other words. All rights reserved. But I have yet to read the actual book. Les Misérables is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. In my mind's eye I have compared it to Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities' and when the Choir I am in sang the Chorus from the musical 'When you hear the people sing' I resolved to read Victor Hugo's original story. With so many themes wonderfully woven into a complex and captivating story, no wonder it is one of the longest novels ever written. The French title Les Misérables is translated into English as The Miserable Ones, The Victims or The Poor Ones. Bill Homewood has read Les Miserables on Audiobooks. The family and I just returned from Les Miserables. I only know the musical, and when I was a child I read a comic book version of it. C. E. Wilbour created the first English translation of Les Miserables in 1863, just the following year after the original novel was first published. I started to read it before I heard that the BBC were putting it on. It covers French history, society, politics and even architecture, and at the same time deals with universal themes of injustice, love in its many forms, the quest for redemption and even the evolution of a man’s soul. It keeps the meaning and impact of Hugo's words, while not sounding too formal and never being a drag. While the language used in Rose's translation is much more modern and easy to read, some criticize it as going too far, and in turn losing some of Hugo's original voice and intent. You actually included it in the article, it's the black and red hardcover next to the summary for Rose. I saw the musical about 50 years ago and MAY revisit it later. However, if you wish to stay as close to the author's original work as possible, Wilbour's translation may be the copy of the novel for you. This translation is probably best suited for the more visually inclined, since it is widely known for including illustrations to go along with the novel's story. They belong to different language families and their origins date back…, Well ladies and gentlemen, our poll to find the world’s sexiest language has finally come to a close.