First, I would like to inform readers that I prepared this version alone without a professional translator upon request of some of my readers at WattPad, where this book received a premium at the Wattys-2018 book contest.
This decision was taken not only by considering the cost of professional services. The main motive was the certainty that only the author, if he has the minimum of this ability, can translate his text into another language without the risk of mutating the ideas he created. This fact is even more true regarding a narrative with historical content.
Nevertheless, we can eliminate this critical point if the translator wants and succeed in getting reliable and fast contact with the author, which is not always offered.
There are fundamental differences in the syntax of the two languages when some aspects are more or less emphasized in these two idioms. For example, I cite the passive voice, demonized in English and not so much in Portuguese, especially in literary texts. The same effect happens with adverbs in Portuguese, and their use is commendably limited. Still, the limitations are not as strict as they seem by teachers and grammar-checking programs in the English language.
Another issue is that hiding the subject in sentences is often used in Portuguese to avoid repeating words. At first, I worried about this aspect, but when I went to consult my favorite English-speaking author, Somerset Maugham, I found the pronoun "she" eight times in the same sentence. After that, I started to despise this aspect.
To resume, I tried to avoid some semantic structures sounding uncommon in English, as they could appear as is usual in my native language, Portuguese.
Despite what I have explained above, my translation reaches the minimum quality required. I can affirm that it surpasses some professional works I have read. Still, if you, as an English-speaking reader, find issues, I would be grateful for any note from your side sent through comments on any of the two of my social media informed below where you can put your comments in English.
Thank You
Mario Sergio Porto
WattPad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/MarioPorto
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mario1944
Links to other Social Networks and my books: https://www.flowcode.com/page/mariosergioporto
External Link: You will access the digital and paperback versions on Amazon via the external link. For the digital version, Amazon will orient you to the Amazon store where your Kindle is signed.
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South of Guadarrama
Historical FictionA novel set in Cordoba X century during the Umayyad dynasty. Among historical figures such as Al-Mansur (Almanzor) and the Sultana Subh or Aurora, using her Latin name, mingle fictional characters interwoven with historical facts that will make you...
