翻译批评与赏析讲义

Lecture One

On Verse Translation

I. Part One: On Verse Translation

1. Marcus Tullius Cicero (马尔库斯·图留斯·西塞罗，106 B.C.-43 B.C.)[荷马史诗《奥德赛》译者]

His opinions on translation:

Translate not as an interpreter, but as an orator, keeping the same ideas and forms, namely, the figures of thought;

In language, conform to our usage; not hold it necessary to render word for word, but preserve the general style and force of the language;

Count the words out to the reader like coins, but pay them by weight;

Translate flexibly to make the version superior to the original.

2. Quintus Horatius flaccus (贺拉斯，65 B.C.-8 B.C.)[诗人、翻译家]

His opinions on translation:

Do not be a literal translator, faithfully rendering word for word from the original language;

A translator who is faithful to the original will not translate word for word.

3. St. Jerome (347?-420)

In literary translation, he translated the original into his own language by conquest.

4. Gavin Douglas (1475-1522) [A famous Scot poet and literary translator]

Flexible and free translation rather than literal translation;

5. Nicolas Grimald (1519-1562) [A poet and translator; A translator of Cicero’s works]

The Version should be as concise as the original so as to keep the complete original style;

The faithfulness to the original should be the top principle of translation;

6. George Chapman (1559-1634) [poet, translator of Greek classics]

Against rigid word-for-word translation;

Against over-free translation. (two extremes)

7. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Translate the poetry in essay style;

(What is the essence of poetry? Something left after the original poem has been translated into the version in the form of essay; the poetic form is nothing but shining outer ornament or decoration.)

8. John Denham (1615-1669) [A famous translator in the 17th century;A poet and literary critics]

No faithfulness in verse translation;

Translate poetry in form of poetry;

Faithful to the original meaning rather than the original form;

Add something new to compensate for the loss aroused by the alteration of the

times, languages, and places.

9. Abraham Cowley (1618-1667)[An important poet, critic, and translator; Famous for his translation of pindar’s poems]

It’s ridiculous to translate a poem literally;

Recreate freely with the original theme to make the version superior or equal to the original.

10. Wentworth Dillon, earl of Roscommon (1633-1685)[A poet and translator; His main contribution to translation: translation theory; Essay on translated verse.] Poetry must be translated by poets.

A friendly relationship must be set between the original author and the translator; Choose the original materials of his own style to translate;

Comprehend the original thoroughly, and be faithful to the essential meaning of the original without addition or distraction.

11. John Dryden (1631-1700)

Translation is an art;

The equivalence of beauty between the original and the version

12. Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

A translator must be faithful to the original to the most degree;

A translator should not try to surpass the original author;

Equivalent to the original style;

Against literal translation as well as imitation.

13. William Cowper (1731-1800)[ A famous translator of Homer’s epics]

Against Pope’s free style of wording;

A midway between metaphrase and imitation;

The highest principle of translation: faithful to the original; tightly close to the original;

Against translating Homer’s epic in English rhyme pattern.

14. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)[ poet and critic]

Different language is formed with different principle; hence the same expressions of the different languages do not mean the same beauty and grace all the way;

The successful translation depends on the choice of the style.

15. Pushkin (1799-1837)[The greatest people’s poet in Russia; a prominent representative of Russian literature in 19th century; a verse translator.]

A translator must have his own freedom in the choice of original materials;

A translator should enjoy sufficient freedom in translation; (imitation and adaptation);

A translator must convey the original features as completely as possible.