Ah, I got something wrong, when in the English Wikipedia entry looking at his works. Sorry. So far his "Tutori" from 1978 – for many years thought to be untranslatable – have only been translated into German six years ago.
Language is a real eye opener. It is a challenge when there are words that don't have a direct translation, for example the Scottish Gaelic word 'ann' - the nearest you can translate it is 'something that is in existence'. Translating isn't just exchanging one set of words for another. I think it is a huge scholarly thing to undertake.
Quite, Mark. And it needs empathy, the wish and ability to slip into someone else's thoughts. To translate a black woman's poem, one does not need to be a black woman, though.
I wonder why not? You obviously value his work, and so much that is arguably less valuable is translated.
ReplyDeleteAh, I got something wrong, when in the English Wikipedia entry looking at his works. Sorry.
DeleteSo far his "Tutori" from 1978 – for many years thought to be untranslatable – have only been translated into German six years ago.
Language is a real eye opener. It is a challenge when there are words that don't have a direct translation, for example the Scottish Gaelic word 'ann' - the nearest you can translate it is 'something that is in existence'. Translating isn't just exchanging one set of words for another. I think it is a huge scholarly thing to undertake.
ReplyDeleteQuite, Mark. And it needs empathy, the wish and ability to slip into someone else's thoughts.
DeleteTo translate a black woman's poem, one does not need to be a black woman, though.