Poetry Translation Techniques

Preserving Poetic Integrity: The essence of good poetry translation is to capture the spirit, rhythm, and imagery of the original without turning it into a "bad poem." This doesn't mean striving for absolute literal fidelity, but rather finding a balance between form and meaning.

Formal vs. Free Verse: Translating free verse (vers libre) presents its own challenges. While it may seem easier at first due to the lack of rigid structure, maintaining the original's impact and flow in the target language requires careful attention to syntax, line breaks, and overall musicality.

Traditional Poetry's Complexity: Translating structured poetry (sonnets, ballads, etc.) demands consideration of the specific meter, rhyme scheme, and stanza form. It's important to find equivalent structures in the target language that convey a similar effect, even if they aren't identical.

Cultural Symbols: Untranslatable cultural symbols pose significant challenges. These words carry deep meaning in the source culture but may be obscure in the target language. While some omissions may be necessary, translators should strive to understand and convey the essence of these symbols, perhaps through creative substitutions or brief explanations.

The Russian School: The Russian tradition emphasizes formal accuracy in poetry translation, seeking to maintain the original's meter, rhyme, and line pattern. This approach sometimes leads to criticism for "improving" the original poem in translation.

The English/American Approach: English/American translators often prioritize semantic accuracy over formal equivalence, sometimes abandoning the original's versification for a "new order." This can lead to criticism for diminishing the poem's impact.

Comparative Generative Prosody: This theoretical approach can guide translators by analyzing the prosodic systems of different languages and identifying functionally equivalent structures.

Form and Content: The form of a poem is not mere decoration; it is integral to its meaning and imagery. Translators should carefully consider the semantic, aesthetic, and psychological functions of the original's formal elements.

Examples from the Text

Literal Translation Gone Wrong: The literal Russian rendering of Ellen Chances' lines about touch results in awkward, clumsy phrasing. The more natural rephrasing, though not strictly literal, better captures the poem's intended feeling.

Mandelstam and Cultural Symbols: The phrase "кремлевский горец" ("the mountain man of the Kremlin") in Mandelstam's poem, though seemingly translatable, loses its specific cultural significance in English. The translator's footnote identifying Stalin helps, but the full impact is diminished.

"Тараканьи смеются усища" Misinterpreted: The line translated as "His moustache laughs like a pair of cockroaches" misses the symbolic reference to Stalin as "the Cockroach" in Russian culture. The translation creates a comic image where the original was meant to be menacing.

Translating w.Shakespeare into Russian

Understanding the Author and Historical Context

Author's Background: William Shakespeare, often considered the greatest writer in the English language, lived during the Elizabethan era (1564-1616). His works are rooted in the complexities of human emotions and universal themes.

Literary Context: Shakespeare's sonnets and plays are characterized by their innovative use of language, metaphor, and structure. Knowing this helps in appreciating the depth of his expressions and the need for thoughtful translation.

2. Literal vs. Conceptual Translation

Literal Translation: This involves a word-for-word translation, which can often lead to loss of meaning, especially with Shakespeare's intricate use of language.

Example: Translating "mellifluous and honey-tongued" literally might not convey the same elegance or musicality in Russian.

Conceptual Translation: This focuses on translating the essence and meaning of the text while maintaining the original tone and style.

Example: Finding Russian equivalents that carry the same connotation as "mellifluous" or "honey-tongued" without losing the poetic flavor.

3. Poetic Form and Structure

Sonnet Structure: Shakespeare's sonnets typically follow a structure of three quatrains and a concluding couplet, written in iambic pentameter.

Example: This structure needs to be respected in translation, which might require creative adjustments in Russian to preserve the rhythm and rhyme scheme.

4. Imagery and Metaphor

Use of Imagery: Shakespeare's language is rich in imagery, often using similes and metaphors to convey emotions and scenes.

Example: In Sonnet 73, Shakespeare compares his life to "late autumn," "the fading light of sunset," and "the failing fire." These metaphors should be translated in a way that the imagery resonates similarly in Russian.

Complex Metaphors: The challenge is to translate these without simplifying the poetic complexity.

Example: The metaphor "Death is there, but there also is love" needs careful translation to maintain its paradoxical nature.

5. Cultural and Historical References

Contextual Understanding: Some references Shakespeare makes are deeply rooted in Western culture and history.

Example: The reference to "Philomel" (the nightingale) in Sonnet 102 requires knowledge of Greek mythology to be translated effectively into Russian.

6. Archaic Language and Modern Equivalents

Archaic Diction: Shakespeare’s use of words like "doth" and "burthens" are archaic and pose translation challenges.

Example: Deciding whether to use similarly archaic Russian or more contemporary language affects the translation's tone and accessibility.

Maintaining Poetic Diction: The choice between elevated and contemporary style impacts how Shakespeare is perceived.

Example: Translators like Marshak chose a more solemn, timeless Russian, while Pasternak opted for a more expressive, modern tone.

8. Translation Challenges Specific to Shakespeare

Irony and Contradiction: Shakespeare often uses irony and sudden shifts in tone, particularly in the concluding couplets of his sonnets.

Example: The unexpected twists in the couplet must be preserved in translation to maintain the sonnet's impact.

Lexical Challenges: The density of Shakespeare’s language, with multiple meanings and puns, requires careful selection of Russian words.

Example: The translation should reflect the layered meanings without becoming overly wordy or losing subtlety