Translating Poetry - Evan

Beichman's description that poetry is what gets lost in translation is a great way to explain why translating poetry is so hard. Poetry lives in what's not spoken. There is no finesse behind something laid out so directly for the reader, because then it may lack substance or not trigger anything beyond comprehension.

Can a poem be perfectly translated? I don't think so. I think some poems can. But some poems lean on unique aspects of set language in a way you can't reproduce every component.

I liked the idea that the imperfection of translation can actually be used as an enhancement of poetry. A translation is essentially one's interpretation of a message. By translating a poem, knowing it won't be perfect, you are sharing with the world your own unique interpretation of the poet's message. Rather than omitting yourself from the conversation, your translation is your way of sharing dialogue in a very unique and touching manner.