Levine, Nabokov, and Bly

I found these three readings quite interesting in terms of where they lay on the spectrum of what fidelity is in translation.

For Levine, translation is less about replicating a text word-for-word and more about reimagining it. Her ideas introduce a very interesting perspective into what "fidelity" means in translation. In her view, translation is a collaboration between the writer and the translator, breathing new life into the work. This idea resonated deeply with me, especially after a recent talk where the speaker argued that a translation is always faithful- if not to the text itself, then to the way the translator read it. Levine’s approach is liberating, reminding us that translation is not about chasing perfection but about embracing creativity and interpretation.

Reading Nabokov gave me a little bit of whiplash coming from Levine. Nabokov has little patience for free translation, dismissing anything that isn’t a strict, word-for-word transfer as a betrayal. "The clumsiest literal translation is a thousand times more useful than the prettiest paraphrase." His approach is surgical, demanding that every word be dissected and preserved with meticulous care. While I admire his commitment to accuracy, his rigidity feels limiting. I prefer to stick to the text as closely as possible, but personally, when working with Japanese, I find that there is nuance and subtlety lost if one doesn't allow themselves to be a little creative and liberal. 

Offering some middle ground, we have Robert Bly. Translation is described as a staged journey. First, you have a rough, literal draft, then you refine it further and further, paying close attention to the “ear” of the poem—how it sounds and feels, not just what it means. His approach feels like a bridge between the extremes, reminding us that translation is a living, evolving process.

That all being said, I think I prefer Levine's approach the most as it doesn't shy away from the fact that the translator is a living, breathing being and there will always be bias and partiality in one's translation.

 

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