Methods of poetry translation

 Something that stood out to me from the readings was the range of methods that might be required to consider when translating poetry. For example, poems like haiku and shorter forms have a focus on rhythm and brevity which is simultaneously very important for the translator to convey but also one of the biggest challenges. Beichman talks about imagery and truly understanding the intent of the original author. Like in the example of La Lune Blanche, depending on the French or Japanese version, we get the impression that either the narrator speaks of their love for the beautiful scene or the flora itself expresses its love for the moon. The beautiful quality is maintained though the message is slightly different. As for longer forms of poetry, Beichman notes the gentle stylistic quality that might be important to maintain from line to line.

I also enjoyed Pulvers' interpretation of poetry translation as he noted that preserving the "vitality" of a poem can be imagined as breaking it entirely down and rebuilding it from a new perspective. I think that this interpretation makes the most sense. I think it would be incredibly difficult to translate literally and then create the "vitality" it lacks in the new language. To absorb the poem's essence and reframe it in a way that makes sense seems like it might be a more successful approach.

Tori