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Ilona Jabůrková

April 30, 2002

The Czech translations of L. F. Baum’s The Wizard of Oz

Lynman Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz was published in 1900. It has become America's greatest and best-loved homegrown fairytale and a classic because it blends elements of traditional magic, such as witches, such as a Kansas cyclone, a scarecrow, and a man made of tin. And, despite its many particularly American attributes, The Wizard of Oz has universal appeal, demonstrated by numerous non-American translations and dramatizations.

As L. F. Baum says in his introduction to the book: " … the time has come for a series of newer "wonder tales" in which the stereotyped genie, dwarf and fairy are eliminated, together with all the horrible and blood-curdling incident devised by their authors to point a fearsome moral to each tale. … Having this thought in mind, the story of " The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written solely to pleasure children of to-day. It aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heart-aches and nightmares are left out". (Chicago, April, 1900)

The Wizard of Oz tells a story about a young girl, Dorothy, and her friends who accompany her on the long journey to the Great Oz. The girl with her dog Toto is taken away from her aunt and uncle in Kansas by a tornado to the land of the Munchkins. Only the Great Oz can help her to get back home. On her way to him, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion join Dorothy to meet the Great Oz to fulfill their wishes, too; the Scarecrow is longing for brain, the Tin Woodman is searching for a heart and the Cowardly Lion wishes to have a courage.

There are four Czech translations of the Wizard of Oz as far as I have managed to find out. The oldest Czech translation was done in 1962 by Jakub Markovič. There hasn´t been a new translation until 1995, when Monika Vosková did the second one, with respect of the Markovič´s translation. Both of these books bear the title Čaroděj ze země Oz.

In 1988, Hana Vrbová took the Russian adaptation of the Wizard of Oz written in 1978 by Alexandr Volkov and translated it into Czech. This translation is called Čaroděj ze smaragdového města.

The newest Czech translation so far has been done in 1997 by Jarmila Jurečková, with the title Čaroděj ze země Oz.

Since the 1997 issue is abridged version for children of up to eight years of age and 1988 book is an adaptation, in my essay I would like to concentrate on the two translations, from 1962 and 1995, by Jakub Markovič and Monika Vosková respectively. Their translations are the only complete and unabridged Czech translations that have been issued by this day.¹

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1Since the titles of both books are the same, I am going to differentiate between them by using the year of their issue - 1962, 1995, or rather the shortened version 62, 95.

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Both books observe the original layout of the book - division into twenty four chapters, paragraphs, direct speech. Also the structure of the sentences is preserved, only exceptionally they would make two sentences out of one, or the other way round. The paragraphs are of the same length, the direct speech is also kept at places where we find it in the original.

The 1962 version lacks the introduction by L.F.Baum, unlike the version of 1995. The introduction was written by L.F.Baum in 1900, so it might be a bit out of date, still it is an interesting proof of how he himself viewed his generation of children; and Monika Vosková keeps this proof.

The list of chapters appears at the beginning of the original while the Czech translations leave it at the back, which is more natural for Czech books. There are 24 chapters, most of which are translated same in 1962 as well as in 1995.

At this point I need to mention one more time that the translation by Monika Vosková was done with the use of Jakub Markovič version. It is mentioned in the imprint that the translation was done in the respect of the translation from 1962. What Monika Vosková meant by this I do not know, but as far as I have learned from her translation, she merely copied the Markovič version, making some alterations from time to time. I will be talking about it in more detail in a few moments.

Coming back to the list of chapters, I have to mention the translation of the very first one that struck me really. In English it is Cyclone while in 62 it is Vichřice and in 95 Tornádo. Both of them are incorrect. Cyclone is a type of tropical cyclone and is connected with the common circulation of atmosphere. While the existence of tornádo (tornado) is not associated with the atmospheric cirlucation at all, it is smaller in its strength and reach. Vichřice is just a type of local wind which has the smallest consequences of all of these three. The correct translation would then be simply cyklón.

The chapter twelve, The Search for the Wicked Witch, reads in 62 Pátrání po zlé kouzelnici, in 95 Pátrání po zlé čarodějnici. This problem of translating of Witch appears later in the book again together with the words like Sorceress and Wizard.

I looked for help in the dictionary where I found following:

Sorceress = a person who is supposed to exercise supernatural powers through the aid of evil spirits; black magician; wizard (Webster´s encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the English language, 1996)

= čarodějnice, čarodějka (Hais, Hodek)

Wizard = one who professes to practice magic; a magician or sorcerer (Webster)

= čaroděj, kouzelník (Hais, Hodek)

Witch = a person, now esp. a woman, who professes or is supposed to practice magic, esp.black magic; sorceress (Webster)

= čarodějnice (Hais, Hodek)

Both the words witch and wizard are associated with magic, still witch sounds to me more evil and worse than wizard. This is just my personal feeling and thus I would prefer the 95 translation Pátrání po zlé čarodějnici. The combination zlá kouzelnice just does not sound true to me.

Now if we look at the sentence:

I believe there are no witches left; nor wizards, nor sorceresses, nor magicians.

62:...nejsou , pokud vím, už žádné čarodějnice, ani čarodějové, černokněžníci a kouzelníci.

95:...nejsou pokud vím už žádné čarodějnice ani čarodějové, černokněžky ani černokněžníci

This is a very inconsistent translation The 62 one is incorrect in that it does not keep the feminine gender in translation of the word sorceresses, while the 95 one differentiates between man and woman. On the other hand, the word černokněžka sounds akward, I would prefer kouzelnice a kouzelníci.

The chapter twenty The dainty china country is in 62 Křehká země z porcelánu and Křehká porcelánová země in 95, which sounds better.

The rest of the chapters are translated same in both books.

As for the the translation of fairytale characters, Monika Vosková takes over the Markovič´s versions such as Čtvermoňové, Mrkalové, Klabouni, Kvelala, Kladivové hlavy, Hastroš, Plecháč/Plechový drvoštěp/Drvoštěp, Zbabělý lev, whose English versions are Munchkins, Quadlings, Winkies, Kalidahs, Quelala, Hammer-Heads, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion.

I think most of them are translated well, more or less being pure translations preserving their factual ground.

Still, Munchkins sound better in English, their Czech version is too "hard" while the original version sounds softer. Neither do I like the translation Kladivové hlavy, though it is what the English says. I would prefer one word expression.

The three versions for the Tin Woodman might be a bit puzzling, I would suggest Plechový drvoštěp or Drvoštěp only, since the English sometimes uses Woodman only as well.

This has been as far as the List of the Chapters was concerned, or even a little bit more beyond. Now I am going to look more closely at the content of the Wizard of Oz and its translation into Czech. I will try to compare the two Czech books, spot the most striking differencies or incorrect translations and comment on them. For this use I will take the first three chapters to go sentence by sentence and analyse them closely. Then I will look at the rest in brief.

Nevertheless, the aim of my work is not trying to find the "right, correct" version or say anything definite about the translations. It is just to make a brief contrast of both of the books, so one could have an idea of how the both translations function.

Chapter 1

· The 62 version translates the name of Dorothy´s uncle Henry - Jindřich, in 95 it is left to Henry, which sounds more natural. Jindřich sounds too peculiar here since the setting is in Kansas.

· There is a factual mistake in 62 - But she felt quite lonely - Cítila se jen velice osaměle (in 95 - Cítila se ale velice osamělá).

· unnecesarry information in 62 - when the house fell again - až chalupa zase spadne dolů

Chapter 2

· she wondered what had happened

62: divila se, co se stalo - it is better.

95: lekla se, co se stalo - here the meaning is not accurate

· nor was it dark

62+95: také už nebylo tma

· She sprang from her bed and with Toto at her heels ran and opened the door.

62: Vyskočila z postele, Toto za ní a oba se rozběhli ke dveřím, plni zvědavosti, co se to vlastně stalo.

95: Dorotka vyskočila z postele, Toto za ní a oba se rozběhli ke dveřím, celí zvědaví, co se vlastně přihodilo. - the last information does not appear in the original at all.

· she was a well-grown child for her age

62: Byla na svůj věk docela pěkně urostlé dítě

95: Byla na svůj věk docela velká. - the expression pěkně urostlé dítě is a very bad translation I would say, the second version is much better.

· she had never killed anything in all her life

62: v životě nic nezabila

95: v životě nikoho a nic nezabila - this is more exact since we do not know from the original whether it is a living thing or not

· ..., shod in silver shoes with pointed toes. :

62:...obuté ve špičatých stříbrných botách

95:....obuté do špičatých stříbrných střevíců

Střevíce sounds better to me, it is both more expressive and specific than boty. Still M.Vosková does not stick to the expression, further using botky and than střevíce again.

· ..., said the little woman.

62: .. .řekla stařenka

95: …řekla stará žena

Both the translations does not follow the meaning of the original exactly. Again, M.Vosková does not stick to it further in her text, using stařenka. Which, in spite of this, is a better solution than the expression stará žena.

· ..,”are you a real witch?”

62: “Ty jsi skutečná kouzelnice?”

95: “ Ty jsi doopravdy čarodějka?” Here the meaning is a bit shifted, it would suggest that she does not believe her being a witch at all. As for the problem of translating witch, it has been already mentioned.

· “...I thought all witches were wicked,”

62: “...já vždycky myslila, že všechny čarodějnice jsou zlé,”

95:”...já vždycky myslela, že všechny čáry jsou zlé,” - this is unnecessary invention of something new, I would rather keep the older translation

· There were only four witches in all the Land of Oz,...

62: V celé zemi Oz bývaly jenom čtyři čarodějnice,...

95: V celé zemi Oz bývaly jenom čtyři čaromocné panovnice,... - I do not like this word combination, again she tries to invent something different which sounds worse.

· Then she looked up.

62: Potom vzhlédla.

95: Potom vyhlédla - it is not correct

· But Dorothy, knowing her to be a witch, had expected her to disappear in just that way, and was not surprised in the least.

62: Ale Dorotka věděla, že to je čarodějnice a byla připravena na to, že zmizí právě takovým způsobem. Proto když to viděla, nebyla ani trochu překvapena.

95: Ale Dorotka o ní věděla, že je čarodějka, a domyslela si, že znizí právě takhle. Proto nebyla ani trochu překvapená, když se to stalo.

The latter version is flowing more smoothly and reads better.

Chapter 3

· Dorothy went to get him. (i.e. to get Toto)

62: Dorotka se za ním rozběhla.

95: Dorotka utíkala za ním.

Neither of these does not really says what is in the original, which is to go and catch the dog.

· Dorothy had only one other dress.

62+95: Dorotka měla ještě jedny šaty. the Czech version sounds more positive

· ...wagging his tail...

62:...zamával ocasem

95:...zamával oháňkou

I do not like neither of the versions, wag should be translated to vrtět, and oháňka is too out dated for a translation dating 1995.

· “I wonder if they will fit me.”

62:” Ráda bych věděla, jestli by mi byly dost, - I do not know whether this is just a typing mistake, otherwise it would sound very akward.

95: “Ráda bych věděla, jestli by mi byly.

· table...loaded with delicious fruits

62+95: stůl pokrytý skvostným ovocem

We do not usually have pokryté stoly, rather prohýbající se stoly

· There was a great cornfield beyond the fence

62+95: Za plotem bylo velké obilné pole.

Both of them changed the fact, which I do not see any logic in. It is set in an unknown land, fairy tale land, why could not the fields be left for corn. There is no need to transform it into our realities.

· I´m awfully sorry for you.

62: Je mi tě tak líto.

95: To je mi líto.

The latter one lacks the expressivness, which is necessary here.

So this was a very close analysis of the first three chapters. As for the rest of the book, it continues in the very similar pattern. I will pinpoint here some of rather peculiar translations I came across in the rest of the text.

· He´s a-a-a meat dog.

62+95: Je to opravdový psovský pes z masa a kostí.

· green candy and green pop-corn

62+95: zelené brambory a zelená zmrzlina

Again the same problem as with the translating of corn fields, here the words zelené brambory does not make much sense to me.

· The sky was darkened, and a low rumbling sound was heard in the air.

95: Setmělo se a ztichlý vzduch se pomalu rozezněl dunivým zvukem.

62: Setmělo se a ozval se tichý dunivý zvuk.

· Dorothy found herself ridin easily between two of the biggest Monkeys, one of them the King himself.

62+95: Dorotka pohodlně seděla v náručí dvou největších okřídlených opic, z nichž jedna byla opičí král.

This translation does not respect the gender.

· which he found in the forest

62+95: který si donesl z lesa

- factualy incorrect - našel v lese

The last thing I want to mention is a short poem whose two different versions I will present here. It is interesting to contrast them.

	62:	95:
“My lady fair, Why do you stare At poor old Mr.Joker? You´re quite as stiff And prim as if You´d eaten up a poker.”	“Spanilé mé dámy, Co je to s vámi, Že se na mne mračíte tolika? Nosy máte do výše, A tváříte se nejspíše, Jako byste spolkly pravítka.”	“Mé spanilé dámy, copak je to s vámi, že se škaredíte toliko? Máte nosy do výše a tváříte se nejspíše, jako byste spolkly pravítko.

Both versions omit the existence of Mr.Joker. The 62 version does not flow smoothly, the rhyme is a bit unmusical. In my opinion the latter version is much better.

So, that was as much as for the two Czech versions of the Wizard of Oz.

At the end I will say couple of words about Monika Vosková translation in general.

First, she uses more expressive words than in the translation of 62. For example malinká chaloupka (62:malá chalupa), sklípek (sklep), chvilička (chvilka), mnoho a mnoho mil (mnoho mil). In translating the word cottage, M.Vosková is incongruous in that she uses chaloupka one time and then domek the other time. Markovič sticks to chalupa all the time.

Second, she transforms the old expressions so that they correspond with the new grammar rules. These are words like musili, natřena, svobodni, sňala, tázala se, sundala s nosu, spadaly s ramen, hrdlo. She changes the grammar into: museli, natřená, svoboní, sundala, zeptala se, sundala z nosu, spadaly z ramen, krk.

Third, sometimes she shifts the word order so it sounds more natural. Examples:

- její dětský smích tetu tak lekal - sounds better than - smích dítětě tetu lekal (62).

- hluboce se jí uklonila (62: uklonila se jí hluboce)

- “Kdybys vstoupila do její země, udělala by z tebe otroka.” (62: “Ta by z tebe hned udělala otroka, kdybys vstoupila do její země.”)

-...a dali se také do pláče. (62: ... začali také plakat)

- Ať se Dorotka vydá (62: Ať jde Dorotka)

Fourth, she adds information that is not in the original: for which I will give several examples.

- It was Toto that made Dorothy laughed - Byl to pejsek Toto, který Dorotku rozesmál. So the word pejsek is redundant here.

- little girl is translated like Dorotka, instead of simply holčička.

- ”Your house did, anyway.” : “Tak ji tedy zabila tvoje chaloupka.” We know from the context what the house did. The translation of 62 solves it more accurately: “Tak tedy tvoje chalupa”.

-...pointed to the corner: ukazovali rukama na roh, the word rukama is redudat here.

While the translation of Jakub Markovič is very good on the whole, sometimes we will find not well constructed sentences or even factual mistakes.

Nevertheless, the text reads well and sticks to the original as much as possible. I have to say that I liked his translation, unfortunately I could not compare it with another one since Monika Vosková more or less copied his version. In my opinion the book of the Wizard of Oz is worth a new translation into Czech after a gap of forty years.