Abstract

SEGOVIA, Francisco. Traducir versos. Acta poét [online]. 2004, vol.25, n.1, pp.69-83. ISSN 2448-735X.

If it is true that the field of translation reminds us, as few other things can, of how lacking linguistic communication is, with its wide margins of unsaid or unexpressed matter, poetry translation, in particular, takes this idea of imperfection to the degree of impossibility. It is even likely that the frequently stated distinction between poetry and literature is due precisely to the evident fact that translating poetry is an impossible task, at least it is in the same terms as translating prose. What are we doing when we say we translate poetry, in which the sounds of words play such a fundamental role? This is the implicit question that gives shape to this essay.