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translating the Majestic Plural
Thread poster: eccotraduttrice
eccotraduttrice
eccotraduttrice
United States
Local time: 03:24
Italian to English
+ ...
Jun 7, 2011

I'm wondering if there is a standard for translating into US English quotations given in the majestic plural, for example, from popes and monarchs who refer themselves as "We." Should it be kept as "we," or should it be changed to "I"? My inclination is to change to "I" because the "royal We" sounds jarring to my US English ear, but I wanted to check and see if there is some kind of rule for these cases.
 
David Wright
David Wright  Identity Verified
Austria
Local time: 12:24
German to English
+ ...
we Jun 8, 2011

I'd leave it as we. The "we" jars in my UK/European ears as well, and suggests that monarchs and popes are incredibly arrogant individuals. However, that is generally what they are, and if the translation makes them appear so, then that's how it should be done.

(there are other less personal reasons for the we - it implies that the monarch/pope is not speaking as an individual but rather as the representative of an institution, and I think that would also have to be done in this wa... See more
I'd leave it as we. The "we" jars in my UK/European ears as well, and suggests that monarchs and popes are incredibly arrogant individuals. However, that is generally what they are, and if the translation makes them appear so, then that's how it should be done.

(there are other less personal reasons for the we - it implies that the monarch/pope is not speaking as an individual but rather as the representative of an institution, and I think that would also have to be done in this way in US English) ▲ Collapse
 
B D Finch
B D Finch  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 12:24
French to English
+ ...
Keep it as "we" Jun 8, 2011

I completely agree with David. The point that the monarch is not speaking as a private individual is important. I wonder whether the Queen says "we should like some more pudding"!

 


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translating the Majestic Plural







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