Literary translation is a skill that goes beyond transferring words from one language to another, in this case English. It requires linguistic sensitivity, cultural depth, and creativity to maintain the essence of the original text. In the following article, we'll explore the essential characteristics of achieving a quality literary translation, accompanied by examples.
1. Faithfulness to the original text
- A translation must respect the meaning, style, and tone of the text. This means:
- Preserving the writer's voice (is it ironic, lyrical, colloquial?).
- Maintaining rhetorical figures (metaphors, similes, alliterations), which in some cases require some adaptations.
- Avoid adding or omitting content without justification.
Example: Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita" into Spanish was translated by Enrique Pezzoni.
She is recognized for capturing realism and intonation without losing the musicality of Spanish. For example:
Original: "Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta."
Translation: "Lolita, luz de mi vida, fuego de mis entrañas. Pecado mĂo, alma mĂa. Lo-li-ta: la punta de la lengua emprende un viaje de tres pasos por el paladar para golpear, en el tres, contra los dientes. Lo. Li. Ta."
2. Naturalness of Expression
The translated text should sound fluent and natural in the language, as if it were originally written there. This means:
Avoiding calques (forced structures that sound exaggerated).
Adapting idioms and sayings (e.g., "It's raining cats and dogs" → "It's raining cats and dogs").
Prioritizing readability without altering the style.
Example: The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
Bonifacio del Carril's Spanish version preserves the poetic simplicity of the French:
Original: "On ne voit bien qu'avec le cĆur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux."
Translation: "One sees clearly only with the heart. The essential is invisible to the eyes."
The phrase sounds as natural in English as it does in the original.
3. Linguistic Extensions and Creativity
Some concepts don't have a direct meaning in the language being translated, so the translator must:
Use paraphrases or neologisms when necessary.
Use footnotes (in the case of untranslatable terms with cultural implications).
Play with sounds (especially in poetry).
Example: Japanese haikus translated into English.
Translator Fernando RodrĂguez-Izquierdo adapts the 5-7-5 syllabic pattern to English without losing the Zen spirit:
Original (BashĆ): "ć€æ± ă èéŁăłèŸŒă æ°Žăźéł"
Translation: "Old pond / a frog dives / sound of water."
Here, the translator takes into account brevity and poetic imagery.
4. Historical and Cultural Context
A translation must be culturally sensitive:
Research historical references (e.g., myths, customs).
Explain or adapt local elements (e.g., foods, festivals).
Respect the time frame (do not modernize a medieval text without reason).
Example: Romeo and Juliet.
MatĂas de Velasco y Rojas' translation, 16th-century English without losing its chivalric essence:
Original: Original fragment (English, 16th century):
(Act II, Scene II - The Balcony)
Juliet: "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet."
Translation:
Julieta: "¡Romeo, Romeo! ¿Por quĂ© eres Romeo?
Niega a tu padre, reniega de tu nombre;
O si no, jĂșrame que me amas,
Y ya no seré Capuleto."
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