Of course, I have to admit that was only a half-conscious decision. There’s a great deal of instinct and gut-feeling involved in this job. Sometimes, well… apparently, instinct fails you.

Don’t worry about being picky. I’ve always been a picky reader myself – I can’t really complain now that I’m on the other side of the fence!

(Oh, and this is the translator, Jerome Saincantin. You’ve probably worked it out, but I realise I neglected to make it clear… Sorry!)

The character in question is Jess Chisum, right at the start of the book. I felt the mode of speech seemed a bit too formal when compared to his appearance. It wasn’t enough to detract from the story, but did cause me to re-read the page.

Its an issue I guess translating characters in familiar settings to stay true to the source text, while giving them the sort of voice we expect from watching countless Westerns. On this occasion Chisum seemed a down at heel cowboy, but the way he spoke seemed more in keeping with a more modern city dweller.

Possibly my comments seem picky and its a minor point that could be personal to me as a reader, but it is something I pick up on in books that have been translated for the English market.

If I may ask, though, which character is it whose speech you find puzzling? I’m always ready to try and correct mistakes or learn from them…