Q. I have translated a recent German-language publication and am almost ready to publish. In collaborating with the German author, I have learned that she updated the original work to include one- and two-sentence passages that reflect current political conditions. She wishes for me to incorporate into my translation these updates and other minor modifications. I can agree to that, but how do I handle the matter of attribution?
A. A section titled “Translator’s Note” in the front or back of the book could explain, much as you have here, that the author updated the work in places. Or the author could write her own explanation, in either a footnote or a preface to the new translation.