Is That A Fish In Your Ear?

Is That A Fish In Your Ear? cover
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Technical
  • ID: 1794
  • Added: 2025-10-10
  • Updated: 2025-10-10
  • ISBN: 9780141969626
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2011-09-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Is That a Fish in Your Ear? delves into the essential role of translation in our daily lives, from world news to literature and even flat-pack furniture instructions. David Bellos examines the challenges and nuances of translating different types of content, from spontaneous speech to classic literature, and explores the cultural and linguistic barriers that translators must navigate. The book also raises thought-provoking questions about how we truly understand one another, whether in our own language or in another. /n/n Written with humor and a deep understanding of the subject, this book offers a unique perspective on the art and science of translation. It challenges the notion that machine translation can ever fully replace human translators and provides a compelling argument for the importance of translation in our interconnected world.

Reviews
The Guardian · 2012-09-11
fascinating 4.50

The book is engagingly written and fascinating throughout, addressing the viability of its subject matter with clarity and depth. The reviewer found it to be a compelling exploration of translation.

The reviewer from The Guardian found the book to be engagingly written and fascinating throughout. They appreciated the clarity and depth with which the subject of translation is explored, noting that any initial misgivings about the viability of the topic were quickly dispelled. The book is praised for its ability to make complex ideas accessible and interesting to a wide audience. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to cover a wide range of topics related to translation, making it a compelling read that sheds new light on the intricacies of language and communication.


Quick quotes

    It is also engagingly written, not to mention fascinating throughout, and any initial misgivings I might have had about the viability of a book on translation were quickly dispelled.

    Bellos ranges widely, from the mechanics of translation to the cultural and historical contexts that shape our understanding of language.

    This is a book that will make you think differently about the words you read and the way you communicate.

BLT Not Just a Sandwich · 2011-10-24
insightful 3.50

The book is noted for its scholarly content and inspiring insights, though it is criticized for not giving enough attention to women's contributions to the field of translation.

The reviewer from BLT Not Just a Sandwich appreciates the scholarly content of the book and finds it inspiring, with plenty of humor. They note that the book covers the subject of translation from many different angles, making it a comprehensive exploration of the topic. However, the reviewer expresses disappointment that the book does not give enough attention to women's contributions to the field, which they see as a significant oversight. Despite this, the book is still seen as a valuable and thought-provoking read.


Quick quotes

    The disappointment of Bellos' book is that it gives women the short shrift.

    Bellos' book is scholarly and inspiring, with plenty of humor and insight.

    The book covers the subject from many different angles, making it a comprehensive exploration of translation.

University of Rochester · 2011-09-29
thought-provoking 4.00

The book is described as wide-ranging, readable, and filled with fascinating anecdotes that make it thought-provoking and enjoyable.

The reviewer from the University of Rochester describes the book as wide-ranging and very readable, filled with fascinating anecdotes that make it thought-provoking and enjoyable. They appreciate the book's ability to cover a broad range of topics related to translation, making it accessible and interesting to a wide audience. The reviewer highlights the book's engaging style and the way it encourages readers to think more deeply about the complexities of language and communication. Overall, the book is seen as a valuable and enjoyable exploration of the subject.


Quick quotes

    It's wide-ranging, very readable, filled with fascinating anecdotes, and very thought-provoking.

    Bellos has a knack for making complex ideas accessible and engaging.

    This book will make you look at language and translation in a whole new light.