Quick question regarding translating

[Liquinn3]

Hi, I'm in the process of translating a piece of an English book I have; if I translate the English to Spanish successfully; would I own the Spanish version of what I have translated? Just want to get this clarified.

[Rusty]

You should consult your country's copyright law, to be absolutely certain, but a translation is an original work and is protected as far as I know. As long as you aren't copying someone else's translation, you will own the Spanish version you create.

[Liquinn3]

Originally Posted by Rusty

You should consult your country's copyright law, to be absolutely certain, but a translation is an original work and is protected as far as I know. As long as you aren't copying someone else's translation, you will own the Spanish version you create.

So I'm safe to say that the translation of some Spanish I'm translating from English is mine? Thanks.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

If Chileno were online now, he'd advice you to do exactly the opposite: take a text written in Spanish and translate it to English, so you can see how actually the foreign structures work and you'll assimilate them more easily.

[Liquinn3]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

If Chileno were online now, he'd advice you to do exactly the opposite: take a text written in Spanish and translate it to English, so you can see how actually the foreign structures work and you'll assimilate them more easily.

Good idea, then that way I know the Spanish is already correct, is it harder to translate from Spanish to English or from English to Spanish? Saludos.

[Rusty]

Always translate into your mother tongue.

[wrholt]

I am not a lawyer. Check what the laws in your country say. For reference, here's an article discussing US copyright law and translations.

As I understand this article, the holder of the copyright for an original work also holds the copyright for all derivitive works, including translations. In other words, if you translate J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone into Spanish, J.K. Rowling holds the copyright to your translation, and you cannot distribute your translation to anyone else without obtaining her permission first.

On the other hand, if you find some work that is in the public domain, such as an ancient Greek play, and you make your own translation into a modern language, you hold the copyright to your translation.

The laws of other nations may differ, so the rules may be different in your country. However, distributing your translation internationally may be subject to international copyright conventions.

[chileno]

That's interesting!

The first thing I thought was that I would have to have permission from the original author in order to translate something originally, without knowing anything about the law. Of course I was ASSuming...

Good answer Angélica!