Hello, mini-Maria, how adorable you are and how determined. Yes, we must do things our way, I am convinced in my soul, or else risk writing with a compromised and unreal soul, perhaps someone else's, and what a sadness and a loss that would be. It would be hard to continue. Your translation is very moving.
I couldn't agree more, Marian, we only have one shot, why not make it worthwhile... Thank you for sharing this, and for your generous words, as always!
Thank you for sharing and for the prompts! Yes, translation of poetry is tricky. I focus on the rhythm as the author intended, trying not to make the poem jump out of its skin. The temptation to rhyme is irresistible, but resist one must if that is not the way of the original author. Plus I have the advantage of speaking Greek, and being able to hear the cadence in my head!
Always enjoy a translator with Strong Views…and your thoughts are really interesting. As I said, I really enjoyed the opportunity to read two different approaches, which for me (no modern Greek) seemed to illuminate different aspects of Cavafy and the poem.(*Loved* your “not making the poem jump out of its skin.”) I think you said once before that poetry is ultimately untranslatable; and I agree - but until we all speak all the languages, we still need people to try!
Thank you, Anne, I felt the need to point that out, after going through old pictures, remembering different times and slower paces… It's one of my favourite photos of then!
Hello, mini-Maria, how adorable you are and how determined. Yes, we must do things our way, I am convinced in my soul, or else risk writing with a compromised and unreal soul, perhaps someone else's, and what a sadness and a loss that would be. It would be hard to continue. Your translation is very moving.
I couldn't agree more, Marian, we only have one shot, why not make it worthwhile... Thank you for sharing this, and for your generous words, as always!
That miraculous poem! Bravo on the translation - brought out a lot that I hadn't seen before.
Very kind of you, Laura… It is a privilege to be able to understand the language and its music…
That's an adorable photo. And keep the Cavafy coming! (I rather enjoyed being able to compare translations, as well - v. luxurious.)
Thank you for sharing and for the prompts! Yes, translation of poetry is tricky. I focus on the rhythm as the author intended, trying not to make the poem jump out of its skin. The temptation to rhyme is irresistible, but resist one must if that is not the way of the original author. Plus I have the advantage of speaking Greek, and being able to hear the cadence in my head!
Always enjoy a translator with Strong Views…and your thoughts are really interesting. As I said, I really enjoyed the opportunity to read two different approaches, which for me (no modern Greek) seemed to illuminate different aspects of Cavafy and the poem.(*Loved* your “not making the poem jump out of its skin.”) I think you said once before that poetry is ultimately untranslatable; and I agree - but until we all speak all the languages, we still need people to try!
Delightful reading! We are not the sum of our social media content. Your story reveals itself in its own time. And I love the picture!
Thank you, Anne, I felt the need to point that out, after going through old pictures, remembering different times and slower paces… It's one of my favourite photos of then!
There is such pressure to perform for the algorithm. We are writers, not performing seals.
Perfectly said!
What a pretty little girl you were, in your duck-egg blue tiny coat, Maria!
A reminder to myself:
"Never, they, far from duty ever shirking;
both fair and square in each and every action,
with pensiveness and clemency moreover."
That is very kind of you, Portia... Determined, yes, I often look back to remember to hold on to it! Many thanks for sharing this!