Artistic vs Academic Translation

[Nagaram]

When you're working out of a grimoire, do you find out of date or even inspired translations of those grimoires just as if not more effective than academic translations?

Further to those who are so skilled as to know Greek, Latin, Coptic, etc. Do you find there's a difference between working a grimoire in its native language over its translations?

Has a translation ever been poor enough that youved missed a crutial step or ingredient?

 

[A.Nox]

I think both have value tbh
Academic translations are usually better if you want to know what the text actually says, but a lot of them feel dry as hell in practice.Inspired translations can feel more usable, but they also tend to come with the translator’s personal spin on things.
So I wouldn’t say one is better across the board.
One gives structure, the other sometimes gives flow.

And yeah, original language does matter sometimes. Not because it’s magically superior, just because some meanings don’t survive translation very well…

Also yes, a bad translation can absolutely make someone miss something important. Even if not a whole ritual, then at least the tone, order, or emphasis.

So for me the issue isn’t translation vs original, it’s how much the translator changed without you realizing it…