Interpreter's POV?

[Ireth]

How might I go about writing a scene from the POV of someone translating between two people? Say Alex and Carl want to have a conversation, but neither speaks the other's language, so they get Bob, who speaks both fluently, to interpret between them. Bob is the POV character for the scene. Should I just say "Alex spoke up in language X" and have Bob actually speak the words, or have Alex say his words and then say "Bob translated for Carl and listened for his response"? Or should I do both to vary things a little?

 

[BWFoster78]

Assuming you want to maximize reader engagement, you have to present the scene realistically enough such that the reader can imagine himself participating. This consideration demands you make clear that two languages are being used.

You also want to minimize distractions that call attention to the writing rather than the story.

I think the choice to use the interpreter as the POV character in this instance is smart since he understands both languages.

What I would do is start off by meticulously detailing Alex speaking and Bob translating and then Carl speaking and Bob again translating.

After that first exchange, however, I'd just have Alex and Carl speak and leave it to the reader to understand that Bob continues to translate.

 

[Steerpike]

Yep, I'd do exactly what BWFoster suggests.

 

[Ireth]

Thanks, guys. ^^ I do have one slight problem -- the scene so far has been from Carl's POV, because he was doing a lot of plot-important stuff, and Alex and Bob don't show up until several pages in. I'm wondering how to handle the switch from Carl's POV to Bob's, since there's really no reason for it except the language issue. The scene itself is here: http://mythicscribes.com/forums/showcase/8198-untitled-story-chapter-2-part-1-~1600-words.html It ends at about the point I was thinking of making the POV switch.

 

[BWFoster78]

I haven't read the example, but I'm not understanding the problem.

I switch POV whenever I feel it is warranted for whatever reason. Granted, I try to minimize it as too much of it can become a distraction, but, as long as you indicate to the reader that you're doing it by putting in a scene break such as *** and establish the time, place, and new POV character quickly, I don't think you'll have any issues.

 

[Steerpike]

You can do it without switching if you want. You stay in Carl's point of view, establish that Bob is translating, then proceed with the conversation as usual. If you want to switch to Bob, I don't think it is a problem, but you shouldn't feel as though you have to do it.

 

[BWFoster78]

You can do it without switching if you want. You stay in Carl's point of view, establish that Bob is translating, then proceed with the conversation as usual. If you want to switch to Bob, I don't think it is a problem, but you shouldn't feel as though you have to do it.

If you choose that route, however, I would think that you need to write Alex's initial speech in italicized nonsense words since Carl can't understand him. If you're in Bob's POV, I think you can just get by with writing both characters in English.

 

[Steerpike]

If you choose that route, however, I would think that you need to write Alex's initial speech in italicized nonsense words since Carl can't understand him. If you're in Bob's POV, I think you can just get by with writing both characters in English.

Yeah, or don't write it out. Just note that Alex speaks in German, or whatever. Carl looks to Bob, who translates. It is made clear Bob will translate the whole conversation, and then you start writing out the specific sentences. I think either way it could be done well.

 

[A. E. Lowan]

Yes, I would agree with the boys. Unless Bob has some important opinions on what Carl and Alex are saying, just stick with Carl as the POV character. You can even show Bob's reactions to what is being said through Carl's observations. One interesting thing to note - I remember I read a novel called The Judas Rose, I think, which featured humans as interpreters for aliens in diplomatic talks. The author points out that the translators are generally so busy with translating that they actually do not process much of what they are saying - they're not listening to the conversation itself, simply parroting what the parties have to say in their respective languages. So, the question is, is Bob a professional translator or an accomplished linguist? Just how fluent is he in both these languages? Is he translating fast enough that he's not actually listening to the conversation, or is he having to process what is being said and the context it is put in and struggling for the right way to say things? Good opportunity to play telephone here!

 

[Ireth]

Yes, I would agree with the boys. Unless Bob has some important opinions on what Carl and Alex are saying, just stick with Carl as the POV character. You can even show Bob's reactions to what is being said through Carl's observations.

Very true. ^^

So, the question is, is Bob a professional translator or an accomplished linguist? Just how fluent is he in both these languages? Is he translating fast enough that he's not actually listening to the conversation, or is he having to process what is being said and the context it is put in and struggling for the right way to say things? Good opportunity to play telephone here!

He's bilingual and equally fluent in both languages (in this case, Gaelic and Norse), being descended from both peoples, though he's not a professional translator. Given the context of the scene and the amount of tension both immediately preceding and during the conversation (they quickly go from explaining about Norse light-elves and black-elves, to discussing the possibility of war and necessity of a truce between Fae and humans), I imagine Bob would need to go slower and actually try to process what's going on.