Embedded Files
La Nuit Original.docxStudents reading this book in their English Class may not realize that the book was first published in French.
This leads to an interesting lesson on author's word choice and connotation. When a translator chooses a word to translate, they may alter the original meaning of the text. In this case, it may have been censored to more suit the American school market.
Denotation Examples with Night Torres.docxThis lesson idea was created by Maria Torres, ELA teacher at Western High School, AUHSD.
Translation connotations.docxThis contains the documentation for the translations created by mrsgteach@yahoo.com.
Translation and Connotation
In Night, by Elie Wiesel
Text #1: “Free from all social constraint, young people gave way openly to instinct, taking advantage of the darkness to flirt in our midst, without caring about anyone else, as though they were alone in the world. The rest pretended not to notice anything.”
Edition: Night by Elie Wiesel, translation by Stella Rodway published by Bantam Books 1986 edition. P. 21.
Denotation (definition):
flirt: v. to behave amorously without serious intent.
Connotation: to show love in a friendly and casual way, such as talking and joking.
Text #2 “Freed of normal constraints, some of the young let go of their inhibitions and, under cover of darkness, caressed one another, without any thought of others, alone in the world. The others pretended not to notice.”
Edition: Night by Elie Wiesel, translation by Marion Wiesel published by Hill and Wang, 2006 edition. P. 23.
Denotation (definition):
caress: v. to touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner.
(www.merriam-webster.com)
Connotation: to show love in a way that involves touching.
“Free from all social constraint, the young people gave way openly to instinct, taking advantage of the darkness to copulate in our midst, without caring about anyone else, as though they were alone in the world. The rest pretended not to notice anything.”
Denotation (definition):
copulate: v. to engage in sexual intercourse.
(www.merriam-webster.com)
Connotation: purely sexual, no love or relationship implied.
Edition: Night with Connections by Elie Wiesel, translation by Stella Rodway published by Holt, Reinhardt and Winston from the Hill and Wang 1960 edition. P. 34.
Original Text: "Liberes de toute censure sociale, les jeunes se laissaient aller ouvertement a leurs instincts et a la faveur de la nuit, s'accouplaient au milieu de nous, sans se preoccuper de qui que ce fut, seuls dans le monde. Les autres faisaient semblant de ne rien voir."
Google translate says: s'accouplaient au milleu de nous = mated in our midst
Edition: La Nuit 1958 by Les Editions de Minuit
See Also:
Have Students keep their own personal journal
Anne Frank Censored Poetry
Anne Frank Middle School Lesson
Link Back to High School LessonsThis Lesson last taught with 9th graders at Western High School in 2012.This lesson was posted on 07/05/2019 by mrsgteach@yahoo.com on Mrs. G Talks Books
Google Sites
Report abuse