A translation is no translation, he said, unless it will give you the music of a poem along with the words of it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True translation must preserve the musical quality of a poem, not just its literal words.
- In plain terms
- A poem translation needs the sound and rhythm, not just the words.
- What can you take from it?
- Good translation preserves artistic quality, not just meaning.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What matters more in translation: meaning or rhythm?
- Can a translation ever be complete?
Another view
Preserving music often requires changing the literal meaning.
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