Frontiers of Language Essays on Literary Translation

This book delves into the contrasting approaches to poetry translation, specifically the "conservative" and "liberal" schools of thought. It explores how translation practices are influenced by language, culture, and historical context, and how the translator's role—whether as a faithful conduit or as an independent artist—shapes the final product. The author examines the fine balance between preserving the original form and content versus creative freedom, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges and artistic dimensions of poetry translation. It argues that, while poetry translation requires skill, it is ultimately an artistic endeavor, often reflecting the translator's own voice.

This essay investigates the differing philosophies in poetry translation, focusing on "conservative" and "liberal" practices. The conservative approach aims to remain faithful to both form and content, while the liberal approach allows for greater flexibility, even creating independent artistic works based on the original poem. The text addresses the blurred boundaries between these approaches and considers whether poetry translation is a craft to be learned or an art form that requires inherent creativity. Through an exploration of these issues, the essay positions poetry translation as a complex, artistic process rather than a mere mechanical task.

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