Faithful Ugliness or Faithless Beauty: The Translator's Problem
Paul F. Guenther
By very nature of things translation is a bridge between two languages, and if we speak problem with regard to literature one particular language appear be dealing solely either beginning or an end, rather than entire process. It precisely this mediatorship translating process which makes what J. Shipley has termed the modest art into most fascinating fields study for historian philologist alike.1 For, let us not deceive ourselves; while teachers are all paying lip service ideal led German translator Homer exclaim Lieber Leser, lerne Griechisch und wirf meine Ubersetzung ins Feuer, extent world will always greater individual humanist's linguistic potential. Very few people have ever been able, read important books in their original languages. This being so can readily dispose all-too-widespread assumption that third-rate fringe activity left semi-learned writers incapable creating themselves. The fact must compromise different languages they, individually, stand for. Language far more vocabulary grammar; it representation whole unique way life. Since reader often no position pass judgment on merits translation, grave responsibility placed conscientious translator.
The German Quarterly