Translating Alexander Pushkin

Understanding Pushkin's Background and Influence

Cultural and Historical Context: Pushkin's rich background influenced his writing. He was descended from Russian nobility and an African prince, which brought a unique blend of perspectives and narratives into his work.

Example: Knowing that Pushkin's great-grandfather was African and brought to Russia under Peter the Great helps understand the diverse influences in Pushkin’s character development and themes.

2. Literary Style and Language

Prose Features: Pushkin’s prose is known for its clarity, accuracy, and lack of overly lofty metaphors or epithets. His plots develop swiftly.

Example: When translating Pushkin’s prose like in "The Captain's Daughter", maintain a clear and concise style without adding unnecessary descriptive language.

3. Cultural Nuances and Their Translation

Maintaining Cultural Context: Translating names and cultural items can alienate them from their original context, making them seem foreign or exotic to English readers.

Example: When translating names like "Григорий Иванович" to "Grigori Ivanovich", consider keeping some cultural markers (like using "Gregory" carefully) to preserve the Russian flavor without making it sound awkward.

4. Syntactical and Structural Features

Emphasis Through Syntax: Pushkin uses syntax to emphasize normal versus abnormal situations, often through inversion.

Example: In sentences like "выстроил он, развел он, служил он", consider using syntactical devices in English to maintain the ironic or unusual tone, e.g., "built did he, divorced he was, served he in the army".

5. Challenges in Translating Pushkin’s Poetry and Prose

Poetic Challenges: Translating Pushkin’s poetry requires maintaining meter, rhyme, and rhythm while also keeping the original meaning and tone.

Example: When translating poetry like from "Eugene Onegin", try to keep the iambic tetrameter or adapt the rhyme scheme without losing the narrative flow and subtleties.

6. Translation Comparison and Learning

Analyzing Different Translations: Use existing translations to understand different approaches and identify strengths and weaknesses.

Example: Comparing the 1974 Progress Publishers translation with an American version can highlight how word choice, syntax, and style can change the feel and interpretation of the text.

7. Accuracy and Brevity

Pushkin’s Own Words: "Accuracy and brevity are the prime merits of prose." This principle should guide the translation to avoid verbosity and ensure precision.

Example: In translating descriptions or dialogues, be direct and avoid embellishments that are not present in the original text.

8. Cultural Compensation

Compensating for Cultural Loss: Find ways to compensate for the inevitable loss when translating cultural references.

Example: If a character wears a "sarafan", instead of just calling it a "dress", you might add a brief descriptor, like "traditional Russian sarafan", to retain the cultural context.

Translating Dostoevsky into English

1. Complex Character Profiles

Key Insight: Dostoevsky's characters are often in search of spiritual values, even if their quests appear strange or insane.

Example: When translating, it's crucial to maintain the depth and complexity of these characters, ensuring that their psychological and existential dilemmas are as palpable in English as they are in Russian.

2. Psychological Depth and Experience

Key Insight: Dostoevsky's personal experiences, including his time in Siberian servitude, deeply influenced his portrayal of crime, misery, and despair.

Example: In "Crime and Punishment," the protagonist Raskolnikov's inner turmoil needs to be translated in a way that captures the intense psychological conflict and the influence of Dostoevsky's own experiences.

3. Language and Narrative Style

Key Insight: Dostoevsky’s narrative style is complex and challenging even for native speakers.

Example: Translators must carefully navigate his dense narrative constructions and preserve the stylistic nuances, such as in the monologues and dialogues that reveal character depth.

4. Cultural and Historical Context

Key Insight: Many of Dostoevsky’s works, like "The Devils," reflect specific historical and cultural contexts that can be puzzling without background knowledge.

Example: When translating "The Devils," understanding and conveying the political and social nuances of the time is crucial to preserving the prophetic nature of the text regarding totalitarian regimes.

5. Imagery and Symbolism

Key Insight: Dostoevsky uses powerful imagery to illuminate the spiritual and moral crises of his characters.

Example: In "The Brothers Karamazov," the use of religious and existential symbols needs to be translated in a way that maintains their impact and meaning in English.

6. Short Stories vs. Novels

Key Insight: Translating Dostoevsky's short stories like "Memoirs from a Dark Cellar" can be particularly challenging because every word carries significant weight.

Example: In "Notes from the Underground," careful attention must be paid to the narrator’s tone and the existential depth to ensure the translation reflects the original’s intensity.

7. Translation of Titles

Key Insight: The translation of Dostoevsky’s titles can influence the reader’s perception and interpretation of the text.

Example: “Кроткая” has been translated as "A Gentle Creature" or "The Meek One." Each title gives a different shade of meaning to the story, impacting its reception in the target culture.

8. Philosophical and Ethical Underpinnings

Key Insight: Dostoevsky’s exploration of moral dilemmas and existential questions is central to his work.

Example: In translating "The Idiot," it’s important to convey the philosophical dialogues and reflections accurately, especially those that explore the protagonist's Christ-like innocence and the corruption of society around him.

9. Maintaining the Original’s Flavor

Key Insight: Despite the complexities of Dostoevsky’s language, keeping the translation as close to the original in spirit is vital.

Example: When working on "Crime and Punishment," the translator must balance between a fluent English rendition and retaining the original Russian syntax where it contributes to the thematic depth.

10. Reader Engagement

Key Insight: Dostoevsky’s texts often engage readers directly through the characters’ dilemmas and the narrative voice.

Example: Ensure that the translated text keeps the reader as engaged with the moral and existential questions as the original does, particularly in works like "Notes from the Underground."