As my first post that actually adheres to the mission of this blog, rather than offering a series of clarifications and cautions, I wanted to pick something that I really like. That it should be poetry was a given, and while I must admit a preference to Ovid over practically anyone, Catullus's conveniently bite-sized works made him the more appropriate choice. I have picked Catullus 46 to open my blog with; it differs from most of his poetry, and in context is a welcome relief. The prevalence of neoteric vocabulary also posits a possible reading of the poem as a poetic allegory, which I find rather fun. So, enjoy: my interpretations of Catullus 46.
46
Iam ver egelidos refert tepores,
iam caeli furor aequinoctialis
iucundis Zephyri silescit auris.
Linquantur Phrygii, Catulle, campi
Nicaeaeque ager uber aestuosae:
ad claras Asiae volemus urbes.
Iam mens praetrepidans avet vagari,
iam laeti studio pedes vigescunt.
O dulces comitum valete coetus,
longe quos simul a domo profectos
diversae varie viae reportant.
Meter: Hendecasyllabic
Text from: The Student’s Catullus: Third Edition, ed. Daniel H. Garrison. University of Oklahoma Press, 2004.
Literal Translation
Now spring brings back unchilled warmths,
now the equinoctial passion of the sky
grows silent with the pleasant breezes of the west wind.
Let the Phrygian fields be left behind, Catullus,
and the abundant territory of sweltering Nicaea:
let us fly to the bright cities of Asia.
Now the mind, quivering in anticipation, yearns to wander,
now the happy feet grow strong with eagerness.
O sweet crowds of friends, farewell,
who, having set out far off from home together,
carry back in different way to different paths.
Loose Translation
Now the spring recalls the melting warmth,
now gentle zephyrs of the west
soothe the raging tempest of the sky.
The vast burned plain, the tented field –
Catullus! leave Phyrigian Nicaea!
We shall fly far to the radiant east.
Now my mind trembles for travels,
now desire braces my very feet.
Oh sweet friends, sweet band, farewell!
Together we set out far from home,
but apart return by parted ways.
April 27, 2008
April 26, 2008
An Induction and Explanation
Oh, dear, I seem to have created a blog.
I have spent the last few years avoiding this very thing, but at last I have succumbed. I justify this creation by its purpse- not to be an egocentric altar to my personal life and thoughts, but a place for me to cultivate my classicism/nerdiness.
The mission of this blog is to investigate what is in my opinion the central debate of translation, the conflict between literal and free translations. Which is better? Impossible to say, for each have merits and drawbacks. Naturally, the best reading is the untranslated, but that often requires more effort that one is willing to invest. Presented with this predicament, I have decided to investigate the two types of translation with this blog. I will post a piece of Latin text and provide my own fairly literal and more loose translations of it. If this method works as I hope it will, the juxtaposition of the three texts will provide insight into the meaning and structure of the original by giving a fuller (literal and loose) reading of it in English.
To get myself accustomed to this newfangled world of blogging, as well as to accomodate my schedule, I will begin with translations I have done already, and subsequently move on to new ones done in whatever spare time I can find. I will try to avoid posting translations from classes that I am currently enrolled in.
This blog is pretty much for my own enrichment, and I highly doubt that anyone will actually read it. This is fine. However, if any other Latin lovers do find this, I welcome your comments on my translations and, most importantly, any corrections you have. I do not cast myself as an infallible expert on Latin translation. Far from it. I have been studying the language for seven years, but I am certainly not a perfect or even great translator. To sum up, take my translations cum grana sale, though they will be as accurate as I can make them.
And now, having spewed pretension and caveats for several paragraphs, I can begin.
I have spent the last few years avoiding this very thing, but at last I have succumbed. I justify this creation by its purpse- not to be an egocentric altar to my personal life and thoughts, but a place for me to cultivate my classicism/nerdiness.
The mission of this blog is to investigate what is in my opinion the central debate of translation, the conflict between literal and free translations. Which is better? Impossible to say, for each have merits and drawbacks. Naturally, the best reading is the untranslated, but that often requires more effort that one is willing to invest. Presented with this predicament, I have decided to investigate the two types of translation with this blog. I will post a piece of Latin text and provide my own fairly literal and more loose translations of it. If this method works as I hope it will, the juxtaposition of the three texts will provide insight into the meaning and structure of the original by giving a fuller (literal and loose) reading of it in English.
To get myself accustomed to this newfangled world of blogging, as well as to accomodate my schedule, I will begin with translations I have done already, and subsequently move on to new ones done in whatever spare time I can find. I will try to avoid posting translations from classes that I am currently enrolled in.
This blog is pretty much for my own enrichment, and I highly doubt that anyone will actually read it. This is fine. However, if any other Latin lovers do find this, I welcome your comments on my translations and, most importantly, any corrections you have. I do not cast myself as an infallible expert on Latin translation. Far from it. I have been studying the language for seven years, but I am certainly not a perfect or even great translator. To sum up, take my translations cum grana sale, though they will be as accurate as I can make them.
And now, having spewed pretension and caveats for several paragraphs, I can begin.
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