Question

Who was the translator responsible for the German version of "Pygmalion" that premiered in Vienna?

• A. Jacob Henle
• B. Gottfried Keller
• C. Siegfried Trebitsch
• D. Tito Pagliardini

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Siegfried Trebitsch

Siegfried Trebitsch: The German Voice of Shaw

• Siegfried Trebitsch (1868–1956) was a prominent Austrian writer and translator. He is most renowned for his extensive work in translating the plays of George Bernard Shaw into German.
• Trebitsch served as Shaw's official and exclusive German translator for many decades, playing a crucial role in introducing and popularizing Shaw's works in German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
• Their professional relationship evolved into a close personal friendship, with Shaw often consulting Trebitsch on various matters related to his plays' reception and translation.

Pygmalion and its German Premiere

• Pygmalion is one of George Bernard Shaw's most famous plays, first performed on stage in 1913.
• The play explores themes of social class, phonetics, language, and gender roles, particularly through the transformation of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, into a refined lady under the tutelage of Professor Henry Higgins.
• The German version of Pygmalion, translated by Siegfried Trebitsch, premiered successfully in Vienna, a major cultural hub in the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time. This premiere was significant in establishing Shaw's presence in the European theatrical landscape.
• Trebitsch's accurate and nuanced translations were vital for retaining the wit, social commentary, and linguistic subtleties of Shaw's original English texts for German audiences.

Connections and Legacy for Competitive Exams

• The play Pygmalion later became the basis for the highly successful 1956 musical My Fair Lady and its subsequent 1964 film adaptation, starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. This is a frequently asked fact in competitive exams.
• Knowing Siegfried Trebitsch's name is important as he represents the bridge that brought a significant English playwright's works to a vast non-English speaking audience, showcasing the global impact of literature and translation.
• His work highlights the importance of translators in the dissemination of literary works across different cultures and languages.