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How do you go by translating book titles? This is the one thing, along with the cover, that actually sells your book. Do you do keyword research in the target language? Look at similar books in the same genre? Please share your experience.
I agree with most answers here, but the first thing you need to look at is the contract you have with the publisher, agent or author. Usually most publishers you license the translation from will stipulate that you cannot change the title, i.e. they require direct translations expect minor ones for a better meaning, without their approval.
Past that case, usually you need to go for a title that is both similar to the original one but using terminology that attracts readers to it. But in all cases it needs to remain true to the original form.
First, no matter what languages, type of text or subject, whether its pragmatic or litterary, the title MUST be translated at the very end of your project, just before sending to the Revisor, after getting feedback, try remodeling the title again just before sending to client. That's when you're most likely to have a comprehensive, well-rounded understanding of the text.
Litterary (prose, poetry, novel, etc):
often litterary titles draw upon word-play, clichés and puns which dont necessarily work in any other language. Are there any metaphores? Elements of style like rhyme, aliterations, etc. It's best to move as far away as possible from the individual words of the Source in order to create a natural, idiomatic, rendition of the author's desired effect. A good example: "50 Shades of Grey" - There's poetic imagery here, and a visual picture of the color grey, but the character is also named Grey. It would be FALSE to simply render Mr. Grey by whatever the color grey is called in your Target Language. So litterary, especially poetry, you should be spending A LOT of time on creating a great title. That's your Cherry On The Top!
Pragmatic (All the rest): For general texts, on websites, communications or what not, sometimes its better to stick to the Source Language, in other words, dont get too creative!. For Manuals, its imperative to be technically exact and accurate, depending on the language, the title of a technical manual might be considerably longer than the original.
The importance of the title of a text cannot be stressed enough. There is a reason why editors often change the titles chosen by the author: it needs to convey the desired effect on the targeted public. The translator should attempt to recreate the same effect in his own language.
You don't change a book title, a book title is like a name, its stays the same in every language.