SEELANGS Digest - 19 May 2010 to 20 May 2010 (#2010-178)

[Paul B. Gallagher]

Vadim Besprozvanny wrote:

> Saying that someone is not beholden to any "theories" of translation<
> isn't a big compliment. Such thing as a "good translator" simply
> does not exist (the word "genius" - in order to preserve it from
> hyperinflation - I would reserve for Shakespeare, Dante, Pushkin,
> etc.). Translation, if it doesn't serve as an inspiration for
> creating a new literary work (as in Zhukovskii, for instance), is, by
> definition, an oversimplified digest for those who cannot/won't
> read/digest a text in original version and are happy to know "what
> this book is about?"

Really, now, I must protest! "A 'good' translator does not exist"??? 
"Translation is an oversimplified digest"???

You may have little insight into the process or respect for what 
translators do, but I assure you there are many highly skilled and 
creative translators, some of whom have achieved the level where they 
can be called "good." A rare few can even be called "great creative 
writers," even if they derive their inspirations from others. As Sir 
Isaac Newton pointed out, he could not have achieved his greatness 
without standing on the shoulders of giants.

Open your eyes, and get your head out of whatever dark hole it may be 
confined to, and you may discover the great works you've been missing.

-- 
War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
--
Paul B. Gallagher
pbg translations, inc.
"Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
http://pbg-translations.com

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