Words
Translation isn’t just about finding the right words, it’s about capturing the essence of a message, the rhythm of a sentence, and the emotion behind it. Nowhere is this more challenging than in literary translation, where nuance, culture, and even history play a role in shaping meaning. Whether it’s a novel, a poem, or a marketing slogan, the art of translation goes far beyond swapping words between languages.
When a Word Isn’t Just a Word
Languages carry entire worldviews within them. A single word in one language might not have a direct equivalent in another because it’s tied to a specific cultural experience. Take the German word Wanderlust, for example. While we might translate it as "a strong desire to travel," the word itself evokes a deeper, almost melancholic longing for exploration and the unknown. Similarly, the Japanese Komorebi refers to the sunlight filtering through trees—an image-laden word that doesn’t quite have an English counterpart.
Now imagine navigating this linguistic complexity in an entire novel or poem. Every sentence carries the weight of its original culture, and a translator’s job is to transport that feeling, not just the dictionary definition of the words.
The Tightrope Walk of Literary Translation
Translating literature is a balancing act. Lean too literally, and you risk losing the poetry of the text. Take Vladimir Nabokov’s infamous translation of Eugene Onegin—so rigid in its accuracy that it became almost unreadable. On the other hand, stray too far from the original, and you risk rewriting rather than translating.
Some of the most successful translations feel like they could have been written in the target language from the start. Take Haruki Murakami’s novels. His translators, Jay Rubin and Philip Gabriel, adapt his work into smooth, natural English while maintaining the dreamlike tone that defines his writing. They don’t just translate his words—they translate his style and atmosphere.
When Translations Go Wrong
Of course, not all translations succeed. Some fail spectacularly. One of the most famous blunders comes from the marketing world: when KFC first entered China, its slogan “Finger-lickin’ good” was mistranslated as “Eat your fingers off.” Not exactly appetizing.
Even in literature, errors happen. Dante’s Inferno has been translated countless times, but depending on the translator, its tone shifts dramatically—from poetic and lyrical to blunt and clinical. And in some cases, translators have imposed their own interpretations onto a text, changing its meaning entirely. A notable example is the English translation of The Little Prince, which subtly altered key passages about love and loss, shifting the tone from bittersweet to almost whimsical.
The Soul of the Text
At its best, literary translation is an act of empathy. It’s about understanding not just the words on the page, but the emotions behind them. It requires stepping into the writer’s shoes, absorbing their voice, and then finding a way to let that voice resonate in another language.
It’s an art form in its own right, one that, when done well, makes you forget you’re even reading a translation at all.
Literary translation is more than a technical skill—it’s a craft that requires deep cultural awareness, creativity, and intuition. A great translation doesn’t just convey meaning; it breathes life into a text, allowing readers in a different language to feel the same emotions as the original audience. In a world that’s increasingly connected, the role of literary translators is more crucial than ever. They are the bridges between cultures, ensuring that stories, ideas, and emotions continue to resonate across borders and generations.
Ristic Ana
Ristic Ana
31/03/2025
