According to the work we did in class, I like Ward's translation better. I feel like Ward keeps the reader closer to what Meursault actually is thinking and feeling. I also like how the words are simpler and to the point in Ward's translation. I thought that Gilbert's translation was way to wordy and it took away from the bluntness of Meursault. Also Gilbert's translation had a ton of commas and semi-colons which gave the book a sort of uneasy and anxious tone. I know it made me anxious while reading it. The diction used in Ward's translation was also preferable because he used everyday words that added to Meursault's indifferent attitude. I doubt Meursault was thinking words like dandling... I think its more realistic this way. Also Ward kept French elements like Maman in the text, which makes us believe that it is closer to the real book.
I think that The Foreigner would be a good title for this book. Is Meursault really from France? He doesn't seem to pick up on the social ques of the culture. He lacks major social skills in that area so that makes me think that he is from somewhere else. The Stranger title confuses me because what is Meursault a stranger from. Himself? Emotions? The people around him? This might be the case because Meursault is so unconnected to everything. Because they kept some of the french elements to the book, I think it would have been cool if they would have left the title as L'Estranger as let us believe what we want about it.
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