There is an interesting continuum of degrees of freedom in translations. Is
the original text complete? To what extent can characteristics of the
original language be replicated in the output language (sorry about the
computer terminology)? What are the intentions of the translator?
I see nothing wrong at all with consciously creating a new work, from an
effort in translation, as we were discussing in the Sappho thread. I did
that with Villon's Épitaph. Working a faithful translation except in places
where I consciously substituted his Christian landscape with a traditional
Igbo one. Ditto those who fill holes in Sappho. I think, however, the key
is to advertise truthfully about what the reader can expect. To be clear
when something is an adaptation rather than a translation. But then again,
perhaps the onus should be less on the author to slap warning labels all
over it, and more on the reader to balance enjoying the output work with
their desire for fidelity to the original.
--
Uche Ogbuji http://uche.ogbuji.net
Founding Partner, Zepheira http://zepheira.com
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