Njia ya Kihalisi Ni Wazo Lisilofaa
Edith Grossman (1936-2023): Literalism is a clumsy, unhelpful concept in translation.
[Scroll down for the English]
KISWAHILI
"Katika utafsiri, kilele cha bora kinaonyesha ushikamanifu kamili wakati wote. Lakini ushikamanifu haupaswi kamwe kuchanganyikiwa na kihalisi. Njia ya kihalisi ni wazo bovu lisilofaa na linapindisha na kurahisisha kupita kiasi uhusiano changamano kati ya tafsiri hiyo na asilia.”
- Edith Grossman (1936-2023), mfasiri wa fasihi, mtetezi wa tafsiri, na mwandishi wa Why Translation Matters (2010).
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
“In translation, the ongoing, absolutely utopian ideal is fidelity. But fidelity should never be confused with literalness. Literalism is a clumsy, unhelpful concept that radically skews and oversimplifies the complicated relationship between a translation and an original.”
- Edith Grossman (1936-2023), literary translator, translation advocate, and author of Why Translation Matters (2010).
Kuhusu (About):
KISWAHILI
Edith Grossman (1936-2023) alikuwa mfasiri mashuhuri wa fasihi wa waandishi muhimu wa lugha ya Kihispania na mtetezi wa tafsiri, akisisitiza watafsiri waweke majina yao pamoja na mwandishi asilia kwenye jalada. Alikumbusha kila mara tasnia ya uchapishaji na wasomaji kwamba tafsiri huwaruhusu wasomaji kupata uzoefu wa fasihi ya nchi na tamaduni zingine. Alijaribu kuinua jukumu muhimu la kutafsiri katika kitabu chake kilichochapishwa na Yale University Press, Why Translation Matters (2010).
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Edith Grossman (1936-2023) was a renowned literary translator of famous Spanish-language authors and a translation advocate, insisting translators have their name on the cover with the original author. She continually reminded the publishing industry and readers that translations allow readers to experience the literature of other countries and cultures. She sought to elevate the critical role of translation in her book published by Yale University Press, Why Translation Matters (2010).
KISWAHILI: Asante na tutaonana tena,
Mmerikani
ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Thank you and may we see each other again,
Mmerikani
Chanzo (source): Grossman, Edith. Why Translation Matters. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2010, location 719-724. Kindle edition.
Mmerikani, I read this lovely translation and wonder how these words about fidelity and literalism strike the translator in you. It seems to me from how I’ve come to know your work, that you are most faithful to fidelity!