Presenter Information

Ethan Plate, Lindenwood University

Start Date

9-4-2024 12:00 AM

Description

In translating Hermann Hesse's lyric poem "Ravenna (1)," I have used an approach that tries to balance maintaining the spirit of the original while also engaging with the work as an essentially creative process. I have gone against the precedent set by previous English translator James Wright by maintaining formal elements, such as rhyme scheme, at the price of some literal exactness. On the other hand, I have also detailed the ways that I have built into the translation some of my own interpretations of the poem as well as Hesse’s overall body of work. I have justified this extension of myself into the work as well as my sacrifice of some literal translation using the ideas of translation scholar Reinhold Grimm and translator Idra Novey.

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Apr 9th, 12:00 AM

Translating Poetry as a Poet through the Lyrics of Hermann Hesse

In translating Hermann Hesse's lyric poem "Ravenna (1)," I have used an approach that tries to balance maintaining the spirit of the original while also engaging with the work as an essentially creative process. I have gone against the precedent set by previous English translator James Wright by maintaining formal elements, such as rhyme scheme, at the price of some literal exactness. On the other hand, I have also detailed the ways that I have built into the translation some of my own interpretations of the poem as well as Hesse’s overall body of work. I have justified this extension of myself into the work as well as my sacrifice of some literal translation using the ideas of translation scholar Reinhold Grimm and translator Idra Novey.

 

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