I am in awe of this work, and I loved reading about your take on it.
I wonder if we might have a conversation about the idea that she translated “without opinion,” though. The translation of “female ones” as “girls” is as much an opinion as “whores” would be (though I agree that to my ear it reflects their reality more accurately).
It’s my view that translation is an inherently political act, rooted in bias and the values and mores of both the translator and the times and culture in which they translate - just as much as writing is an inherently political act. Our words always reflect a thousand choices, conscious and unconscious.
I agree. I should’ve phrased it: “She tried not to put her own opinion into it” rather than “without opinion”. Translation is basically interpretation. The difference between her Work and the ones before her was that she tried to keep her opinion out of it and just translate word for word as purely as she could. However, decisions were made and that could be construed as opinion.
Thanks for this! I use Emily's book as an example of stellar prose in my writing talks. But as a practical example: even after 2400 years, we're still editing.
Absolutely fascinating. I've always been a bit skeptical reading translated works, but I'd never fully considered the extent to which bias figures into the equation. Thx for this illuminating post. And......"not for nothin'" (as my Brooklyn relatives would say), but I'd love to hear your interview some of these women!
Fascinating! Makes me question translations of other works. When I read War and Peace I found out there were several very different translations. Now I want to go back and see if there are differences between the work of male and female translators (if there are any female translators for it).
Wow--thanks, Erin! If someone told me I would ever try to read The Odyssey again, or The Iliad, I would probably have laughed and said, "I don't think so." Now I want to look for this author's translations!
Okay. Admittedly never read either of them and had I tried, would have likely defaulted to Cliff's notes. But I am adding it to the list.
I am in awe of this work, and I loved reading about your take on it.
I wonder if we might have a conversation about the idea that she translated “without opinion,” though. The translation of “female ones” as “girls” is as much an opinion as “whores” would be (though I agree that to my ear it reflects their reality more accurately).
It’s my view that translation is an inherently political act, rooted in bias and the values and mores of both the translator and the times and culture in which they translate - just as much as writing is an inherently political act. Our words always reflect a thousand choices, conscious and unconscious.
Agree? Disagree?
I agree. I should’ve phrased it: “She tried not to put her own opinion into it” rather than “without opinion”. Translation is basically interpretation. The difference between her Work and the ones before her was that she tried to keep her opinion out of it and just translate word for word as purely as she could. However, decisions were made and that could be construed as opinion.
Thanks for this! I use Emily's book as an example of stellar prose in my writing talks. But as a practical example: even after 2400 years, we're still editing.
We are indeed.
Absolutely fascinating. I've always been a bit skeptical reading translated works, but I'd never fully considered the extent to which bias figures into the equation. Thx for this illuminating post. And......"not for nothin'" (as my Brooklyn relatives would say), but I'd love to hear your interview some of these women!
Fascinating! Makes me question translations of other works. When I read War and Peace I found out there were several very different translations. Now I want to go back and see if there are differences between the work of male and female translators (if there are any female translators for it).
Interesting. You may be on to something!
Wow--thanks, Erin! If someone told me I would ever try to read The Odyssey again, or The Iliad, I would probably have laughed and said, "I don't think so." Now I want to look for this author's translations!
I hope you do!