Clare Cavanagh's opening paragraph criticiizes those who criticize translation's ability to be "faithful" or "literal" or "perfect." I understand how it can be frustrating to hear these comments about a translation you worked tirelessly on. A translation is never "perfect," but neither is the original poem.
Bishop's villanelle "One Art" is presented, with Stanislaw Baranczak's version of the poem. Then, an English translation of Baranczak's poem is given to us. This translation/adaptation of "One Art" from English to Polish to English is interesting, as I wouldn't have predicted that "SHE CRIED THAT NIGHT, BUT NOT FOR HIM TO HEAR" was heavily inspired by "One Art," although I do think of Bishop's villanelle when I think of villanelles.
Translation is unique as it can bring new poetic ideas & forms to languages, to cultures. Of course it will never be perfect; that is why new translations emerge. The imperfection of translation is what keeps it going.
- Hanan Akbari
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