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German to English translations [PRO] Marketing - Printing & Publishing / sentence
German term or phrase:schwarze Kunst
Kooperationen im Druckgewerbe sind so alt wie die schwarze Kunst selbst.
Is there an English moniker for 'schwarze Kunst'? Perhaps 'Gutenberg's craft' or 'moveable type', not really satisfactory, though. "Black art" sounds too much like witchcraft in English.
The origin of printer's devil is not definitively known. Various competing theories of the phrase's origin follow.
Printer's devil has been ascribed to parts of printer's apprentices' skin inevitably being stained black by the ink used in printing. As black was associated with the "black arts", the apprentice came to be called a devil.
Another origin is linked to the fanciful belief among printers that a special devil (see the typographical personification Titivillus) haunted every print shop, performing mischief such as inverting type, misspelling words or removing entire lines of completed type. The apprentice became a substitute source of blame and came to be called a printer's devil by association.
A third source involves a business partner of Johann Gutenberg, Johann Fust, who sold several of Gutenberg's bibles to King Louis XI of France and his court officials, representing the bibles as hand-copied manuscripts. When it was discovered that individual letters were identical in appearance, Fust was accused of witchcraft – the red ink text was said to have been written in blood, and Fust was imprisoned. Though Fust was later freed after the bibles' origins were revealed, many still believed he was in league with Satan, thus the phrase.
Another possible origin is ascribed to Aldus Manutius, a well-known Venetian printer of the Renaissance and founder of the Aldine Press, who was denounced by detractors for practicing the black arts (early printing was long associated with devilry). The assistant to Manutius was a young boy of African descent who was accused of being the embodiment of Satan and dubbed the printer's devil.
One likely source stems from the fact that worn and broken lead type is thrown into a hellbox, which the printer's devil must take to the furnace for melting and recasting.
Finally, English tradition links the origin of printer's devil to the assistant of the first English printer and book publisher, William Caxton. Caxton's assistant was named "Deville", which evolved to "devil" over time, as that name was used to describe other printers' apprentices. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printer's_devil
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 7 hrs (2014-04-07 18:40:51 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Black art:
As opposed to 'black arts' ...
Type. Gutenberg developed techniques for casting types and composing them letter by letter and line by line. Recent research raises questions as to exactly how the types were cast, but there is no doubt that they were produced with immense effort, extraordinary skill and a prescient appreciation for the nuances of letter design. The complete font consisted of about 270 characters, including ligatures, abbreviations and "abutting sorts" designed to display the even weight and rhythmic grace of textura letterforms to optimum effect. Here is a typical example of the most formal grade of textura script in German liturgical manuscripts of this period, a stylistic model easily adapted for the purpose of printing Scripture in a size large enough to be read out loud.
Ink. The water-based inks used in manuscript production would not adhere to metal types. Gutenberg formulated an oil-based ink with the desired physical properties as well as a rich glossy appearance unparalleled in early printing. Scientists studying the composition of this ink have detected unusual ingredients, metallic compounds that may be responsible for its intensity and sheen. In more ways than one Gutenberg was a master of the Black Art. http://www.themorgan.org/collections/works/gutenberg/inventi...
Book printing as art form
For years, book printing was considered a true art form. Typesetting, or the placement of the characters on the page, including the use of ligatures, was passed down from master to apprentice. In Germany, the art of typesetting was termed the "black art", in allusion to the ink-covered printers. It has largely been replaced by computer typesetting programs, which make it easy to get similar results more quickly and with less physical labor. Some practitioners continue to print books the way Gutenberg did. For example, there is a yearly convention of traditional book printers in Mainz, Germany. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing_press
From typefounding through typesetting to the printing process itself, this narrative offers a fresh look at the unprecedented success story of the spread of the 'black art' right across Europe in a mere 40 years. Stephan Fuessel here analyses the first early printings, placing them in context the history of communication and the intellectual climate of a Europe-wide educated elite by about 1500. He foregrounds the tremendous rise European culture and the history of education experienced as a direct result of this media revolution. In separate chapters Fuessel depicts the fast spreading of the art of printing to Italy, France and England, at the same time highlighting the importance of the art of printing for the Roman Catholic Church, the Reformation, the University and the economy. From herbals to a guide for midwives, the present book shows popular instruction at work in the vernacular, as well as the consolidation of knowledge into encyclopedias in the early modern period, and the emergence of new forms of the prose novel and the beginnings of newspapers and periodicals. Finally Stephan Fuessel traces the modern resonances of Gutenberg's invention, which persisted in virtually unchanged form for a further 350 years. It underwent decisive technological change through industrialisation and mechanisation in the nineteenth century, and again through digitalisation at the close of the twentieth century. However, as Fuessel shows, the mass diffusion of information and the related communications revolution which began with Gutenberg continue unabated. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gutenberg-Impact-Printing-Stephan-Fu...
I'm going to have to butt out here. I just do not understand the problem with translating 'schwarze Kunst' as 'black art'. Within the context, not randomly isolated, it is quite evident to an educated reader that Gutenberg invented his press in Germany in the Medieval period, not in 21st century US. If there is any doubt, I am quite sure a translator's note would make it quite clear. I'm going to let gangels make an educated choice now. I've said my piece and I haven't got time to get involved in any further tangents.
AndersonT (X)
United States
18:46 Apr 7, 2014
"What has that got to do with the price of cheese?"
I would assume that a translator is aware that there are certain cultural perception pitfalls that transcend the mere meaning of a word.
Please see the references I have just added to my answer. I despair; if one took your stance, it would not be possible to write history.
AndersonT (X)
United States
18:40 Apr 7, 2014
@Helen Shiner
"Why would anyone start thinking about art produced by black people in regard to early print culture?"
You are very obviously not American
"The 'dark arts' or 'black arts' were very much discussed at that time"
Yes, but this is an article that's presumably written for readers today, so unless this is intended as some form of literary Medieval Fair the question is not whether this is in line with what people said and thought 500 years ago but how a reader will understand it today don't you think?
There are so many red herrings here that it is hard to know where to begin. Why would anyone start thinking about art produced by black people in regard to early print culture? I wish they had been there, but we are talking medieval Germany. The 'dark arts' or 'black arts' were very much discussed at that time, and, as I have demonstrated, had a strong link in popular understanding to print. I really would think it a shame to strip this reference from the text, and I am never in favour of patronising a readership. If a German educated reader can understand this, then I am sure an educated English-speaking reader can also. BUT it is up to you, gangels; you know the rest of the text and its purpose....
Yes, I think we are over-thinking it. I don't see any evidence that it refers to the black arts or black artists.
AndersonT (X)
United States
15:46 Apr 7, 2014
So Phil gets my credit now??? :)
Seriously though, are we all overthinking this?
Would something simple like "Cooperatives in the printing business are as old as the art of printing itself" really be that bad?
gangels (X)
ASKER
Hi, Phil
15:42 Apr 7, 2014
That's a real good point you raise with black art(ists), didn't think of that. The article simply expounds on the trials and tribulations traditional printing has to cope with in the face of the electronic media.
What about getting the word Gutenberg in for instant recognition, like Gutenberg's revolution/gamechanger/preserve/invention, don't want to go too far afield, though
Horst Huber (X)
United States
When the thread
15:19 Apr 7, 2014
gets to be so long, I hesitate to join in. It seems it makes a big difference, whether we say "black art" or "black arts". Of course, the latter invokes magic and the occult. But maybe the singular just connotes that printing involves black ink, with the sinister implications left in the background?
But that isn't the question anyways. The question would be if an EN reader will associate printing with "black art" or something else. Pop culture immersed readers would likely think of magic/witchcraft whereas culturally aware American readers will likely make an instant association with art by black artists.
Hence the discussion whether ad verbum translation would miss the mark.
We STILL don't have the context! Without knowing what it says after this, I don't see any evidence that it refers to magic.
gangels (X)
ASKER
Well
14:33 Apr 7, 2014
In Gutenberg's days, working with moveable letters was as much what nowadays is called "disruptive" technology as is the leap from typewriter to smartphone today, only they associated it with wizardly. Since the early printing was limited to black color (with the incunables painted in manually) the "schwarz" part took on added significance. Since I worked in the industry all my life, today's meaning of "printer's devil" to my knowledge means nothing else than a typo that will sneak in once in a great while. Still mulling over what could be best. How about "Gutenberg's magic art"?
It certainly wouldn't do any harm, but, on this occasion, I haven't felt the need for it. Though, as you know, I'm a great one for asking for more context usually!
I expect we are somehow talking at cross purposes. If it is a pun, it works equally well in both languages. The (fear of the) occult has been with us right through the centuries and is no more prevalent now than it has ever been, rather less prevalent, since I would hope most of us see it as fantastical. I don't think gangels is going to get painted as a witch nowadays for translating it, but he/she might well have done back then!!
AndersonT (X)
United States
12:20 Apr 7, 2014
@Helen Shiner
I'm with you Helen, don't shoot the messenger :)
What I was getting at was that if you go with "black art" in English, you might not necessarily evoke the same association this author ever so wittily creates.
Pop culture does in fact shape our perception of things, and current pop culture in the anglophile realm is going through a renaissance of mysticism/magic/vampirism etc.
I guess what I am really trying to get at is this (caveat: my perception, I could be utterly wrong):
Imho the author uses a term that was once firmly established for the art of printing, and the witty pun is that this could also mean magic.
If we were to "import" that wit ad verbum, and considering that we are saturated with themes encompassing magic/mysticism (yeah, I'm looking at you True Blood and Harry Potter) we would notice a reversal. Namely, sort of a "oh hai, printing was called the same as magic???" -effect.
As I said before, I neither consider myself or what I just said authoritative on this matter. For all I know this might be nothing but one lowly translator's personally biased opinion :).
Thank you. But what has popular culture got to do with it? If the association with the black arts is there, and has been from the start, why deny it, just because there are rather a lot of vampires on the TV? If it is a play on words, though I'm not sure it is particularly, then it is a historic one, not a current one.
Bear in mind this was an age when people saw birthmarks and any physical defect as being marks of the devil. If you wandered around, having achieved a technological marvel that people didn't understand, AND you were splattered with black ink, then you can be sure the association with devilry would be uppermost in many people's minds.
AndersonT (X)
United States
11:52 Apr 7, 2014
I really really like Helen's article. In an ideal world, hers would be the answer.
I have to say though, with popular culture being as it is (try finding a US TV program without witches, vampires or zombies these days....good luck) I'll have to go with Cilian's answer on that one.
Unfortunately, in this case, this means that a very witty play on words will get lost in translation.
peer agreement (net): +3