"are you one of those x" sounds a little hostile, Ken. sorry you disapprove
of my opinion so.
I was talking about David Bowie, but I dislike his singing voice in general.
again, simply my opinion.
I don't insist on everything in the original language; I aim to be a
translator after all. all I insist on is quality, and in translations the
retaining of tone & attitude & power of image - and occasionally, or
generally, structure too, though I'm much more lax on that point. I realise
that in order to translate anything into another language means to
(re)interpret and 'rewrite', but unless one wants to go nutso with a
postmodern parody of sorts, there are certain things that must be included.
the ghost of the source text is always behind each translation. it's not
that the ghost is necessarily 'better' as a rule, but what attracts & awes &
interests in the original language is not translateable, because it's a
matter of the soul of a language, and how that's expressed in art.
translations can, are often are, wonderful renditions. my ambition is to
translate the finnish poet Arto Melleri into english one day, and re-express
his sentiments & imagery in a different 'language-soul'.
KS
2009/5/10 Kenneth Wolman <[log in to unmask]>
> kasper salonen wrote:
>
>> everything but the french is awful. I approve of only new or word-for-word
>> translations. I was almost physically disgusted by monsieur Bowie's take.
>>
>> KS
>>
>>
>
> As a dedicated amoralist, I have no such reservations. I like opera in
> translation too if the translator isn't an asshole who intrudes to rewrite
> the interpretive meanings of the text. How you define those terms is up to
> you.
>
> Bowie tried to render Brel? Do you mean David Bowie or Jim Bowie or some
> third party? I have a feeling "render" is the right word.
>
> I don't know how far this repugnance goes. Are you one of those Poundians
> who insists on everything in the original language regardless of the fact
> there's much more to read than time in which to do it, translated or not?
>
> Ken
>
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