The hottest Translation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Diary: Stephen Mortland, (1) Reading Akutagawa

Book Post β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 22 Sep 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. RyΕ«nosuke Akutagawa's work revolves around Japanese folklore and his final prolific months as a writer.
  2. The Kappa demons in Akutagawa's stories have supernatural powers and are part of Japanese folklore.
  3. Akutagawa's writing is deeply personal and reflective of his own experiences and observations.

Two Ways to Decline Zeus

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 10 Nov 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Book 5 of the Iliad provides speeches that explore theomachy and the poem's connection to other traditions.
  2. The flexibility of Homeric verse allows for two ways to decline Zeus in metrical shape.
  3. Dione's speech in the Iliad serves as a good example of a paradeigma, using past examples to persuade characters, and can be compared to other epics for structure and content.

Huson Soft HuCAL

Computer Ads from the Past β€’ 384 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Translation
  1. Hudson Soft was a Japanese company that started as an electronics store and later moved into game development.
  2. Hudson Soft created popular games like Bomberman, Adventure Island, and Bonk for various gaming systems.
  3. HuCAL, a product by Hudson Soft, was initially thought to be a word processor but was actually a spreadsheet used on Sega systems.
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"Demon" by Mikhail Lermontov

The Ha'penny Papers β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. The post discusses a free translation of the poem "Demon" by Mikhail Lermontov, focusing on the first part.
  2. The poem describes a saddened demon reminiscing about past days of purity and joy.
  3. The Demon's journey shows a contrast between his past happiness and present state of oblivion and weakness.

Plan for The Oswald Spengler Project

The Oswald Spengler Project β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Translation
  1. The Oswald Spengler Project consists of notes, essays, and translations about Oswald Spengler's works.
  2. The project will cover Spengler's published works and delve into historical, cultural, and philosophical topics.
  3. Initial focus will be on notes on Spengler's major works, with plans to later provide translations of his unpublished works.

All the (Epic) Rage: Free Tools for Reading Homer's Iliad

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 15 Sep 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Translations of Homer's work can be creations of their own, offering unique insights and serving different audiences.
  2. Studying and understanding Homeric language and meaning requires repetition, reflection, and discussion with others.
  3. Online tools like the Scaife Viewer and the Homer Multitext Project provide valuable resources for studying Homer's works, offering lexicons, manuscripts, and commentaries.

Polysymphonic

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 20 Sep 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Metaphors help us better understand complex concepts by providing multiple perspectives.
  2. Interpreting and translating Homer's epic poems is challenging due to their intricate layers of meaning and cultural nuances.
  3. Translators face difficulties in capturing the full essence of Homer's works due to the intricate wordplay and themes that resonate differently in various languages.

The Plan, And Imperfect Translations

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 21 Sep 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. The author plans to focus on the Iliad in upcoming content, offering various types of posts for educators and learners.
  2. The concept of 'The Plan of Zeus' in the Iliad relates to Zeus' grand design unfolding over the story, bringing about pain and conflict.
  3. Thematic words and echoes in early Greek poetry, like the works of Ibykos, highlight recurrent themes such as war and heroism across different genres.

Exploring Whisper's Multitask Interface: A Closer Look at its Speech Transcription and Translation Capabilities

Amgad’s Substack β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Translation
  1. Whisper, a versatile AI tool, can transcribe speech accurately in various languages, not just English.
  2. The multitask interface of Whisper guides the decoder to generate desired outputs by using special tokens in the input sequence.
  3. Users can prompt Whisper by adding custom vocabulary and previous predictions to help achieve more accurate transcriptions and translations.

Please stop translating like this

The Leftovers β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 24 May 22
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Literature in translation is gaining recognition and praise for the quality of English translations.
  2. Translators play a crucial role in expanding the world of possibilities for readers and making works accessible.
  3. While a translated piece may be an approximation of the original, it still provides value by allowing access to works in different languages.

Contextual Translations - Attempt 1

Dubverse Black β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 29 Aug 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Translation
  1. Custom machine translation models can be more tailored to specific user needs
  2. Context retrieval is crucial for accurate translation of continuous input like video/audio content
  3. Modifying existing models for context-aware translation requires careful training and faces challenges

Under the microscope: Mobile Suit Gundam

Rings of Saturn β€’ 43 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 25
πŸ•Ή Technology Translation
  1. A new translation patch for the 1995 game Mobile Suit Gundam has been released, making it easier for players to enjoy the game in English.
  2. There’s a cheat menu in the game that includes useful options like invincibility, stage selection, and movie skipping.
  3. Entering cheat codes in the game can be tricky, but the provided patch simplifies the process and makes it more accessible.

On not reading (in English)

The Leftovers β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 11 Aug 22
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Taking a break from Anglophone literature and exploring works in different languages can introduce fresh themes and perspectives.
  2. Reading works by authors from various backgrounds, like Alberto Prunetti's, can provide unique and endearing storytelling experiences.
  3. Exploring literature in original languages, like Italian in the case of Prunetti's book, can offer a deeper understanding of the language nuances and cultural diversity.

Using AI in education, Part 1

Solresol β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 12 Dec 23
🚌 Education Translation
  1. Consider using AI for translating educational materials to make learning more accessible to students with different language backgrounds.
  2. Engaging students by providing educational content in their native language can improve their learning experience and motivation.
  3. Discuss the evolving importance of improving English fluency versus providing education in native languages to cater to global diversity.

Poetry is an Art of Sound

Dada Drummer Almanach β€’ 115 implied HN points β€’ 21 Nov 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Poetry is an art of sound and speech, an art performed by the reader.
  2. Keith Waldrop emphasized the importance of combining different elements in poetry, like verse and prose, to create a new language.
  3. Music was a significant influence for Keith Waldrop, who admired composers like Monteverdi, Mozart, and Indian Carnatic music.

Bonus Post

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jul 25
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. George Saunders shares translations of stories by Ivan Bunin, highlighting the importance of different interpretations. Each translation offers a fresh perspective on the original text.
  2. The post includes downloadable PDF versions of these stories, making it easier for readers to engage with the material. This provides a valuable resource for fans of literature.
  3. The focus is on creating a community through sharing literature, encouraging discussions and connections among readers. This helps to foster a love for storytelling and its impact.

Heroes Can't Read (But We Can)

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 Sep 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. In the Iliad, there's a passage about 'painful signs' that raises questions about the use and impact of written communication in ancient times.
  2. Ancient scholars had varying opinions on whether the 'painful signs' mentioned in the Iliad were actually a form of writing or symbolic messages.
  3. The story of 'painful signs' highlights the power of language and messaging in shaping events, with implications and effects that might not always align with the author's intentions.

Moscow is like the Endless Horde of Chingis Khan - Vasily Ushakov, 1830

The Library of Alexandria Ultima β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Translation
  1. Moscow has a unique charm that reflects the vast landscapes of Russia, making it feel like a city that spread across a beautiful, endless plain.
  2. The city is known for its sprawling streets and welcoming atmosphere, where traveling from one part to another can feel like a small adventure.
  3. Moscow's streets and names carry historical significance, often echoing its past under Tatar rule, which adds to its rich cultural identity.

W. S. Merwin in Flight

Autoscriptorium β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Poetry should not always be equated with prophecy or oracular speech. Not every profound utterance is meant to be divine or prophetic.
  2. W. S. Merwin was a versatile poet and translator, moving from traditional forms to more experimental exploration.
  3. In the poem 'Words From A Totem Animal,' W. S. Merwin creates a sense of urgency and fluidity through enjambment, blurring the lines between human and animal experiences.

Anne Carson's Mosaic Verse

Autoscriptorium β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Poetry organizes human breath and events through rhythm and meter, reflecting a sense beyond what we usually sense
  2. Anne Carson's work crosses genres, blending translation, poetry, and essay in a unique and unclassifiable way
  3. In 'The Autobiography of Red,' Carson creates a complex narrative around the myth of Geryon and Herakles, exploring themes of love, cruelty, and identity

Coming soon

The Oswald Spengler Project β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jul 22
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. The newsletter 'The Oswald Spengler Project' focuses on notes, translations, and essays on the collected works of Oswald Spengler.
  2. The newsletter is hosted on spergler.substack.com.
  3. The 'Coming soon' message indicates that the content is not yet available but will be coming in the future.

how I use chatgpt

alice maz β€’ 75 implied HN points β€’ 11 Aug 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Translation
  1. Use GPT-4 for better performance and capability compared to GPT-3.5
  2. GPT excels in language-related tasks but struggles with mathematical or quantitative queries
  3. Assess and verify GPT's outputs while using it for tasks to ensure accuracy and reliability

"Guy de Maupassant"

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 46 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. The author discusses the process of understanding classic short stories for personal growth
  2. Readers are encouraged to engage with the story multiple times, reflect, and share their thoughts
  3. Literary criticism involves paying attention to feelings while reading and articulating them

How Not to Explain Islam

Muslim Musings β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jan 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Translation
  1. Word translations are not exact and can only approximate meaning.
  2. Translations should consider the cultural context of languages for accurate communication of ideas.
  3. Memorizing terminology doesn't equate to understanding the actual concepts behind them.

Translating oneself

The Leftovers β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 28 Aug 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Translation
  1. The author realized they could translate their own work, even though they did it for a living, showing that writing in multiple languages changes the writer's voice.
  2. When writing in a language that is not native, writers tend to prioritize clarity over decorative language.
  3. Writing in a second language can make one feel like they are always being cautious, resulting in a simpler and clearer writing style.

Life And Poetry Of James Clifford

The Lifeboat β€’ 80 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. James Clifford, an English poet, was famous in the Soviet Union but unknown in his homeland.
  2. Vladimir Lifshitz translated Clifford's poems, which were praised for their freedom and precision.
  3. Soviet authors like Lifshitz valued Clifford's work for offering a fresh perspective on reality and bypassing censorship.

The prologue of Roberto Arlt's Flamethrowers

The Leftovers β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jul 21
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Roberto Arlt was an Argentine writer with a unique voice and sensitivity for tales of the underworld, honed through his work as a crime reporter.
  2. Literature in Arlt's time was reserved for the wealthy; now, it grapples with issues of professionalism, real or imagined.
  3. Arlt's writing advocates for a literary world free of pretentiousness and solely driven by an uncontrollable urge to create, devoid of any other influences.

A Revolution in Cartography

The Oswald Spengler Project β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 14 May 24
🚌 Education Translation
  1. Spengler emphasized the importance of updating historical maps to reflect the latest research findings and to aid in understanding the development of civilizations over time.
  2. He proposed a new approach to cartography, stressing the need to include geographical details like terrain, agriculture, and migration routes to enhance historical analyses.
  3. Collaboration between experts from multiple disciplines is crucial in creating comprehensive maps that can visually represent historical, cultural, and anthropological data for better understanding.

Legibility

The Leftovers β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 21
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Moving to a new place can make you rethink your identity and rewrite your story, leading to a sense of becoming unfamiliar.
  2. Writing in a second language can influence how you express yourself in your native language, blurring the lines between identities.
  3. In writing, balancing authenticity and legibility can be challenging, as it involves navigating personal identity and how others perceive you.

πŸ™„ The AI is coming for my UX job

Counting Stuff β€’ 54 implied HN points β€’ 13 Apr 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Translation
  1. A startup is using AI to create fake personas for product testing, but it misses the point of user testing.
  2. Usability studies run by project managers may be biased without proper training, focusing on understanding user motivations rather than specific actions.
  3. Like machine translation disrupted the translation market, AI in UX may provide some value for simple tasks but human experts are still needed for complex nuances.

Japanese aesthetics: A podcast(!) and Q&A

Kyle Chayka Industries β€’ 55 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Translation
  1. Kyle Chayka published his first audio project discussing Tanizaki's 'In Praise of Shadows' with Nate Gallant, exploring Japanese aesthetics and its relation to modernity.
  2. Tanizaki's essay delves into personal taste, the impact of technology on art, and the cultural implications of aesthetics in Japan.
  3. The essay critiques Western ideals of perfection and light, praising the beauty of shadows and imperfections in Japanese aesthetics.

UX Roundup: OpenAI Canvas | Evaluating AI Video | AI Podcast | AI Translation | AI Adoption & Retention | Flux 1.1

Jakob Nielsen on UX β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 07 Oct 24
πŸ•Ή Technology Translation
  1. OpenAI's new feature, Canvas, lets users interact directly with text in a document instead of just chatting. You can now point at specific text and tell the AI exactly how to change it.
  2. Meta has introduced a video generation model called Movie Gen that rates the quality of videos by having people compare them side by side. This helps to figure out which AI creates better videos.
  3. AI is being adopted quickly, with many people using it regularly for tasks at work. It's even being used at a faster rate than the internet was when it first started.

Experiments in style: Antonymic translation

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 13 Oct 24
πŸ“š Literature Translation
  1. Trying to rewrite texts in different styles can help improve writing skills. It's a fun way to explore new ways to express ideas.
  2. Antonymic translation is a technique where you replace words with their opposites, leading to funny and interesting results. It’s a creative exercise for writers.
  3. This experimentation with styles can change the tone of a story and offers a fresh perspective on familiar narratives. It's great for sparking new ideas.