The Mises Community
An online community for fans of Austrian economics and libertarianism, featuring forums, user blogs, and more.

How close are the translation of Ludwig Von Mises's books?

rated by 0 users
This post has 5 Replies | 2 Followers

Top 150 Contributor
Posts 227
Points 7,655
SilentXtarian Posted: Tue, Oct 6 2009 7:43 PM

I was reading Liberalism earlier today and I wasn't aware that his books were translated.  How close are they?  Do the translators impose their own thoughts on the work?  I would appreciate it if someone answered my questions.

  • | Post Points: 35
Top 75 Contributor
Male
Posts 527
Points 8,585
David Z replied on Tue, Oct 6 2009 8:25 PM

Liberalism was first translated by Ralph Raico. I believe he's still around, perhaps you should ask him :)

Having read much of translated Mises (but none in the original), and having studied enough "Austrian" economics, my impression is that the translators haven't imposed their own thoughts.  Particularly, his books were translated by different people, but I've sensed a distinct "voice" in all of his works.  Now, Mises did speak and write English (AFAIK) and most of his books were translated during his lifetime, so I presume with his assistance and/or assistance of his contemporaries.

============================

David Z

"The issue is always the same, the government or the market.  There is no third solution."

  • | Post Points: 20
Not Ranked
Male
Posts 6
Points 240
Andius replied on Tue, Oct 6 2009 8:53 PM

Hehe, when I heard Mises speak in English in old recordings, I giggled a bit on how thick his accent was. :P

 

It was initially difficult to understand him at the begginning though, hehe.

  • | Post Points: 20
Top 25 Contributor
Male
Posts 971
Points 15,495
Conza88 replied on Tue, Oct 6 2009 9:06 PM

Andius:
It was initially difficult to understand him at the begginning though, hehe.

For me it was more the audio quality. Good for back then I guess.

  • | Post Points: 20
Top 100 Contributor
Male
Posts 369
Points 7,270
Staff
SystemAdministrator
jtucker replied on Tue, Oct 6 2009 9:15 PM

Liberalism is probably very reliable. the least reliable translation is The Theory of Money and Credit. Not even the title is right (should be Money and Fiduciary Media). Anyway, this is what Guido tells me.

 

 

Jeffrey Tucker
Editorial VP, Mises

  • | Post Points: 5
Top 25 Contributor
Posts 1,053
Points 19,110
ForumsAdministrator
Moderator

SilentXtarian:
I wasn't aware that his books were translated.

Keep in mind he wrote Human Action in English.

  • | Post Points: 5
Page 1 of 1 (6 items) | RSS

Ludwig von Mises Institute | 518 West Magnolia Avenue | Auburn, Alabama 36832-4528

Phone: 334.321.2100 · Fax: 334.321.2119

contact@Mises.org | webmaster | AOL-IM MainMises

Mises.org sitemap