Translating Poetry The Art of the (Im)Possible (original) (raw)

This paper explores the debate around the translatability of poetry, presenting various scholarly perspectives that argue both for and against its translatability. It outlines challenges faced by poetry translators, including cultural, syntactic, and lexical difficulties, while emphasizing the transformative role of translation in bridging cultural divides. The discussion culminates in a nuanced view that recognizes the importance of both poet and non-poet translators, asserting that despite challenges, attempts to translate poetry should not be discouraged, as it enriches human creativity and understanding across cultures.