Looking for some feedback on this translation.
English original
"This question of absorption [of colors], considered with reference to its
molecular mechanism, is one of the most subtle and difficult in
physics. We are not yet in a condition to grapple with it, but we
shall be by-and-by. Meanwhile we may profitably glance back on the web
of relations which these experiments reveal to us. We have, firstly,
in solar light an agent of exceeding complexity, composed of
innumerable constituents, refrangible in different degrees. We find,
secondly, the atoms and molecules of bodies gifted with the power of
sifting solar light in the most various ways, and producing by this
sifting the colours observed in nature and art. To do this they must
possess a molecular structure commensurate in complexity with that of
light itself. Thirdly, we have the human eye and brain, so organized
as to be able to take in and distinguish the multitude of impressions
thus generated. The light, therefore, at starting is complex; to sift
and select it as they do, natural bodies must be complex; while to
take in the impressions thus generated, the human eye and brain,
however we may simplify our conceptions of their action,[8] must be
highly complex.
Whence this triple complexity? If what are called material purposes
were the only end to be served, a much simpler mechanism would be
sufficient. But, instead of simplicity, we have prodigality of
relation and adaptation--and this, apparently, for the sole purpose of
enabling us to see things robed in the splendours of colour. Would it
not seem that Nature harboured the intention of educating us for other
enjoyments than those derivable from meat and drink? At all events,
whatever Nature meant--and it would be mere presumption to dogmatize
as to what she meant--we find ourselves here, as the upshot of her
operations, endowed, not only with capacities to enjoy the materially
useful, but endowed with others of indefinite scope and application,
which deal alone with the beautiful and the true." John Tyndall 1873
----------
Esta cuestion de absorcion [de los colores], considerada en referencia a su mecanismo molecular es una de las mas sutiles y dificiles de la fisica. No estamos aun en condiciones de aprehenderla, pero lo estaremos. Mientras tanto podemos mirar con provecho a la trama de relaciones que estos experimentos nos revelan.
Tenemos primeramente en la luz solar un agente de extrema complejidad, compuesto de innumerables constituyentes, con diferentes grados de refraccion. En segundo lugar los atomos y moleculas de los cuerpos dotados del poder de filtrar la luz solar de las mas variadas maneras, y producir por este filtrado los colores observados en la naturaleza y el arte. Para hacer esto tienen que poseer una estructura molecular del mismo nivel de complejidad que la luz misma. En tercer lugar tenemos al ojo y al cerebro humanos organizados de manera de poder percibir y distinguir la multitud de impresiones asi generadas. La luz, por lo tanto, es en principio compleja; para filtrarla y seleccionarla como lo hacen, los cuerpos deben ser complejos; y para percibir las impresiones asi generadas, el ojo y el cerebro humanos, no importa cuanto simplifiquemos nuestra concepcion de sus acciones, deben ser altamente complejos.
De donde viene esta triple complejidad? Si lo que se llama propositos materiales fuera el unico fin a servir, un mecanismo mucho mas simple seria suficiente. Pero en vez de simpleza, tenemos multitud de relacion y adaptacion, y esto aparentemente solo para permitirnos ver las cosas envueltas en el esplendor del color. No pareciera acaso que la Naturaleza tenia la intencion de educarnos para otros placeres aparte de los de la comida y bebida? En todo caso, mas alla de su intencion,y seria mera presuncion dogmatizar sobre cual era su intencion, nos encontramos nosotros aqui como resultado de sus operaciones, dotados no solo con capacidades para disfrutar de lo materialmente util, sino con otras de aplicacion y alcance indefinidos, que solo se ocupan de lo bello y lo verdadero.
"This question of absorption [of colors], considered with reference to its
molecular mechanism, is one of the most subtle and difficult in
physics. We are not yet in a condition to grapple with it, but we
shall be by-and-by. Meanwhile we may profitably glance back on the web
of relations which these experiments reveal to us. We have, firstly,
in solar light an agent of exceeding complexity, composed of
innumerable constituents, refrangible in different degrees. We find,
secondly, the atoms and molecules of bodies gifted with the power of
sifting solar light in the most various ways, and producing by this
sifting the colours observed in nature and art. To do this they must
possess a molecular structure commensurate in complexity with that of
light itself. Thirdly, we have the human eye and brain, so organized
as to be able to take in and distinguish the multitude of impressions
thus generated. The light, therefore, at starting is complex; to sift
and select it as they do, natural bodies must be complex; while to
take in the impressions thus generated, the human eye and brain,
however we may simplify our conceptions of their action,[8] must be
highly complex.
Whence this triple complexity? If what are called material purposes
were the only end to be served, a much simpler mechanism would be
sufficient. But, instead of simplicity, we have prodigality of
relation and adaptation--and this, apparently, for the sole purpose of
enabling us to see things robed in the splendours of colour. Would it
not seem that Nature harboured the intention of educating us for other
enjoyments than those derivable from meat and drink? At all events,
whatever Nature meant--and it would be mere presumption to dogmatize
as to what she meant--we find ourselves here, as the upshot of her
operations, endowed, not only with capacities to enjoy the materially
useful, but endowed with others of indefinite scope and application,
which deal alone with the beautiful and the true." John Tyndall 1873
----------
Esta cuestion de absorcion [de los colores], considerada en referencia a su mecanismo molecular es una de las mas sutiles y dificiles de la fisica. No estamos aun en condiciones de aprehenderla, pero lo estaremos. Mientras tanto podemos mirar con provecho a la trama de relaciones que estos experimentos nos revelan.
Tenemos primeramente en la luz solar un agente de extrema complejidad, compuesto de innumerables constituyentes, con diferentes grados de refraccion. En segundo lugar los atomos y moleculas de los cuerpos dotados del poder de filtrar la luz solar de las mas variadas maneras, y producir por este filtrado los colores observados en la naturaleza y el arte. Para hacer esto tienen que poseer una estructura molecular del mismo nivel de complejidad que la luz misma. En tercer lugar tenemos al ojo y al cerebro humanos organizados de manera de poder percibir y distinguir la multitud de impresiones asi generadas. La luz, por lo tanto, es en principio compleja; para filtrarla y seleccionarla como lo hacen, los cuerpos deben ser complejos; y para percibir las impresiones asi generadas, el ojo y el cerebro humanos, no importa cuanto simplifiquemos nuestra concepcion de sus acciones, deben ser altamente complejos.
De donde viene esta triple complejidad? Si lo que se llama propositos materiales fuera el unico fin a servir, un mecanismo mucho mas simple seria suficiente. Pero en vez de simpleza, tenemos multitud de relacion y adaptacion, y esto aparentemente solo para permitirnos ver las cosas envueltas en el esplendor del color. No pareciera acaso que la Naturaleza tenia la intencion de educarnos para otros placeres aparte de los de la comida y bebida? En todo caso, mas alla de su intencion,y seria mera presuncion dogmatizar sobre cual era su intencion, nos encontramos nosotros aqui como resultado de sus operaciones, dotados no solo con capacidades para disfrutar de lo materialmente util, sino con otras de aplicacion y alcance indefinidos, que solo se ocupan de lo bello y lo verdadero.
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What an interesting and challenging text. Do you work as a translator?
My overall impression is that your translation is excellent. You clearly understood the text well, and your translation conveys the same ideas in the same way.
I see a few small editing mistakes-- I imagine that you'll immediately see them upon rereading this, so I won't point them out.
A few things that I probably would have translated differently. I recognize that your English is vastly better than my Spanish, however, so I may be wrong. Let me know if your thoughts.
-By-and-by como mas adelante o algun dia
-Simplicidad en vez de simpleza
Perhaps you should tag this with Spanish to get the feedback from someone bilingual.
Thanks a lot for the compliments =] - Actually I think your Spanish is (way) better than my English. I can't write English as a native speaker, but when I read your Spanish texts it's hard for me to tell that Spanish is not your native language.
No, I don't work as a translator. Once in a while I translate something I find interesting, to show it to other people.
"By-and-by como mas adelante o algun dia"
Yes. I was about to write "pero lo estaremos +en el futuro", but then changed my mind for no good reason. "Mas adelante" and "algun dia" are OK too.
"Simplicidad en vez de simpleza"
Simplicidad sounds slightly better, yes. Now that I think of it simpleza may refer to moral qualities ("simple people" for instance), whereas simplicidad is a bit more technical.
----
I have some musings on translations, but they are hard for me to convey in English and I'm in a hurry right now. I'll bother you with those later =P
Thank you for the kind words. I disagree with your evaluation of your English and my Spanish, but it is good to hear the encouragement. I will one day achieve the level I aspire to, I'm sure of it. And so will you.
Yes, would love to hear your musings on translations. Convey them in English or Spanish, como quieras. I've been working in translation the past few months and it's been very interesting, although it's not what I want to do forever.
So, were you reading this passage in a book?
Yes, the passage comes from this book
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14000/14000-h/14000-h.htm
"Six Lectures on Light, by John Tyndall"
which I read a while ago.
-----------
On second thoughts what I was about to say on translations is probably silly. Anyway, here it is.
I have the impression that English tends to be more accurate than Spanish (that's something a couple of friends have noticed as well). (Although it's also possible that some Spanish expressions or structures don't have English equivalents, so Spanish would look more accurate than English to speakers of English, at least in some cases. Though my money is on English being more accurate =P)
Assuming English is more accurate than Spanish, should a translator strive to create a translation that 'looks like' the original (a literal translation?) or should he use expressions from his own language that convey the meaning more faithfully, but which are likely longer? How to deal with things like set phrases and idioms?
Also, I suspect that when I translate fron English to Spanish, I borrow structures and/or style from English, which strictly speaking don't belong to Spanish. Problem is, since I'm familiar with English, the non-standard(spanglish-like) result doesn't sound too bad to me. But maybe it doesn't sound right either to people who only know Spanish. Is there a way around that? (the solution is to be extra careful I suppose?).