Comments on: Can Poetry be Translated? http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2009/07/06/can-poetry-be-translated/ Beyond Words explores our experiences with language, culture, and the world through our day-to-day interactions. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:59:04 +0000 hourly 1 By: Rob http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2009/07/06/can-poetry-be-translated/comment-page-1/#comment-1326 Rob Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:59:22 +0000 http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/?p=2859#comment-1326 Yours respectfully, Rob Yours respectfully,
Rob

]]> By: Rob http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2009/07/06/can-poetry-be-translated/comment-page-1/#comment-1325 Rob Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:54:04 +0000 http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/?p=2859#comment-1325 Poetry, indeed, cannot be translated; and, therefore, it is the poets that preserve the languages; for we would not be at the trouble to learn a language if we could have all that is written in it just as well in a translation. But as the beauties of poetry cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written, we learn the language. -Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784) An equivalent paraphrased statement can be, in my opinion, be made about math: Math, indeed, cannot be translated; and, therefore, it is the mathematicians that preserve the language of math; for we would not be at the trouble to learn a new language if we could have all that is written in it just as well in a translation. But as the beauties of math cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written, we must therefore learn math as a language. Please feel free to comment. Poetry, indeed, cannot be translated; and, therefore, it is the poets that preserve the languages; for we would not be at the trouble to learn a language if we could have all that is written in it just as well in a translation. But as the beauties of poetry cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written, we learn the language. -Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784)

An equivalent paraphrased statement can be, in my opinion, be made about math:

Math, indeed, cannot be translated; and, therefore, it is the mathematicians that preserve the language of math; for we would not be at the trouble to learn a new language if we could have all that is written in it just as well in a translation. But as the beauties of math cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written, we must therefore learn math as a language.

Please feel free to comment.

]]> By: Khadeeja Kidir Othman http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2009/07/06/can-poetry-be-translated/comment-page-1/#comment-1226 Khadeeja Kidir Othman Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:58:17 +0000 http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/?p=2859#comment-1226 I disagree with the idea of poetry being untranslatable. Poetry can be translated by a poet or anyone who has a poetic sensation and feeling,anyone who tastes poetry and understands it I disagree with the idea of poetry being untranslatable. Poetry can be translated by a poet or anyone who has a poetic sensation and feeling,anyone who tastes poetry and understands it

]]> By: Maria Laura Curzi http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2009/07/06/can-poetry-be-translated/comment-page-1/#comment-851 Maria Laura Curzi Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:27:39 +0000 http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/?p=2859#comment-851 I mightily agree with this... I think poetry can be translated, but only the same poet who wrote the poetry can do it. Because only the poet knows what he wanted to mean in his verses, and can chose to translate the meaning of the poetry or the rhyme of it. Personaly, when I translate my poetry (visit my blog, please!) I choose to translate the meaning and they will have a new rhythm with each language. I mightily agree with this…
I think poetry can be translated, but only the same poet who wrote the poetry can do it. Because only the poet knows what he wanted to mean in his verses, and can chose to translate the meaning of the poetry or the rhyme of it.
Personaly, when I translate my poetry (visit my blog, please!) I choose to translate the meaning and they will have a new rhythm with each language.

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