There is currently a thread on rec.arts.books concerning Michael
Hamburger's translations of Celan and H\"olderlin. I was wondering
if Pierre Joris would like to comment.
REgarding the H\"olderlin I find it difficult to understand the
acclaim for the later poems in Hamburger's translation. I do have
other translations but it is Hamburger I tend to return to.
I consider him a pretty lousy poet himself and am troubled that
it may be reflected in his poetry.
Regarding Celan outside the DEathfugue I see his work in English
as resembling brilliant fragments and dont think any translator
could really cope. Even Germans find him difficult, as H\"olderlin
is difficult as he bends his language to the Greek sway.
Comments welcome.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|