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About this quote

What does it mean?
Poetry is the first thing lost in translation.
In plain terms
Poetry suffers most when translated between languages.
What can you take from it?
Preserve original language or adapt creatively when sharing poetry.

Where it applies

  • literary studies
  • multilingual publishing

Putting it to work

  • provide bilingual editions
  • use footnotes

Questions to consider

  • What aspects of poetry resist translation?
  • How can translators retain poetic effect?

Another view

Some poems translate well; the claim is absolute.

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