Translating History from German to English: A Linguistic Challenge

Translating historical/antique or just “very old” documents such as marriage, birth or death certificates, books and letters/cards from the front from German to English poses unique challenges. These challenges arise not only from poor legibility but also from the old-fashioned script and language used in such documents.

In ancient times - as well as today - there were many small countries within Germany (e.g. Prussia, Saxony) and within these other small independent territories. And each of these territories/countries had its own peculiarities in terms of language and style.

Even if German is spoken in Austria and Switzerland, there are significant differences - not only in the dialect, but also in the meaning of words.

It often makes no sense to just translate the individual word without knowing the deeper meaning behind it or its meaning at the time the document was created.

This applies to the good old days, but also to the present day.

Because of all these circumstances, it is extremely advantageous for a translator to know certain historical contexts and be able to deduce certain linguistic peculiarities. Sometimes it may also be necessary to visit libraries archiving old documents, having certain old books and documents in the shelf or even obtain information from remaining relatives.

Challenges in Translation

1. Old German Script

Many historical documents, especially from the 19th and early 20th centuries, are written in “Kurrent” or “Sütterlin” script. These scripts differ significantly from modern print or handwriting styles and require specialized knowledge to decipher accurately.

2. Outdated Language and Terms

Historical documents often contain terms that are no longer in use or have different meanings today. Additionally, the syntax of the time frequently deviates from modern language norms.

3. Poor Legibility

Many of these documents are handwritten, which can make them difficult to read depending on the quality of the handwriting, the condition of the paper, or faded ink.

4. Cultural Differences

Historical documents are often shaped by regional or cultural peculiarities that are not always directly translatable into English.

Every translator of old documents is confronted with the following question: "How to access/obtain old books and documents?" Old books and documents are often valuable sources for history, science, and culture. Here are some ways to access such materials:

1. Libraries and Archives

• State and University Libraries: Many libraries have historical collections or special departments for old books and manuscripts.

• Public Archives: City, state, and federal archives often preserve historical documents, maps, or files.

• Specialized Archives: Some archives focus on specific topics, such as church archives, business archives, or noble family archives.

2. Antiquarian Bookshops

• Antiquarian bookshops sell old and rare books. There are local shops as well as online platforms

3. Digital Libraries

4. Specialist Dealers and Collectors' Markets

• Events like book fairs or collectors' markets can be a good opportunity to acquire old books and documents.

5. Museums and Exhibitions

• Museums often display historical documents or books. Some also provide reproductions or digital copies.

6. Private Collections and Estates

• Old documents can sometimes be found in private households. Flea markets or estate sales may yield surprising discoveries.

7. Genealogical or Historical Societies

• These organizations often have collections of old documents, especially for genealogical research.

Point 6 is the most interesting and cheapest. As a translator, you should of course also be interested in the good old days and always be on the lookout for old books and documents. Before old houses are torn down, you should - after consulting the owner, of course - go up and down the stairs, look in the attic and cellar. In addition to a lot of junk, you will often discover one or two paintings, old boxes of books and personal documents, clothes and wooden toys. With a bit of luck, the owner of the house or their descendants will be able to tell interesting stories about the individual objects. Or their former owners.

The Stories Within Stories

As a translator, you have to approach certain stories and backgrounds with a great deal of sensitivity and not just throw the door open. There are fates behind them - not always beautiful ones, but often very tragic and heartbreaking ones. Sometimes there is also a story behind the story. It becomes interesting when a little detective story develops from the research. And once your curiosity is aroused, you dig deeper and deeper. It is sometimes very exciting and there are aha-moments.

It is also an advantage to have a good relationship with the local priest/monastery. There you often learn many little “secrets” that are not always known to the public. Either they never became known because they were considered “shameful” at the time or they were forgotten over the decades because nobody was interested in them or they were simply not told.

An example from wartime and post-war times: During wartime and post-war periods, being an unmarried mother was deeply stigmatized, seen as a moral failing by the church and society. Women without a partner, often due to the war, sought refuge with compassionate nuns and gave birth in convents. Out of shame, some left their newborns at convent or rectory doors, hoping for a better life for the child. Many of these children ended up in orphanages, with some being adopted. Often, local priests issued birth certificates, leading to their names appearing on these documents, though they were not the biological fathers. This creates challenges for those researching their origins today.

With a bit of luck you will have that “willing” priest at your side who has access to old records, knowledge of old stories or good connections to other brothers in the faith who can help with the research. This is how many so-called orphans of the war years first learned about their true origins and sometimes also the story of their mother or father. For many, it is a sensitive subject. Not only for the orphans concerned, but often also for their descendants, as well as for the church. As a translator, you therefore have to be very careful when researching.

Empathy and prior knowledge are extremely important so as not to frighten anyone. After all, you need certain insights and knowledge to breathe new life into an old document.

But the most important thing as a translator is to be curious and interested in the history before even attempting to translate old documents. You should have studied the history of a country and be able to understand and deduce certain connections. Through the continuous study of old documents, words, idioms and certain expressions that were common at the time you become familiar. Word research is also sometimes quite helpful.

Conclusion

Translating old German documents into English is challenging but achievable. With the right tools, patience, and an understanding of historical contexts, it is possible to produce a precise and culturally sensitive translation. For particularly complex cases, it is helpful to work with experts, old documents and relatives to preserve the authenticity of the document.

And a personal trip to the nearest library or other “treasure chests” where old documents are still kept is useful and essential.

But all this also means that such documents cannot be translated “quickly”. Sometimes the translator needs a lot of time for research. And not all information is revealed by Google.

At that time, there was no Internet, computers or cell phones, which is considered normal today. Sometimes there was a rickety typewriter in the offices next to the quill pen. That was pure luxury. Everything had to be written down by hand. But here the translator is usually lucky if the ink had not faded and the paper had not yellowed: great importance was attached to good, legible handwriting. That was a privilege of the educated.

For me as a translator, this journey into the past is challenging, very interesting, exciting and important. Sometimes many contexts can be transferred to the present and better understood. You often get a different perspective on things, learn interesting stories, uncover a little secret or simply help other people to know for sure. Many people just want to finally find out the truth about their origins or those of their ancestors.