'On Translating a Tamil Poem' by A.K. Ramanujan
This blog is in response to Dr Dilip Barad's task. We are studying "Comparative Literature and Translation Studies" in the fourth semester of the master of arts program. Students deliver introductory presentations on the assigned articles in this paper. A.K. Ramanujan's article "On Translating a Tamil Poem" on translation studies can be found here. This blog includes the presentation as well as a video recording of that presentation.
This article by A.K. Ramanujan discusses the challenges and rewards of translating a Tamil poem. He looks at the difficulty of preserving the original meaning of the poem while making it relevant to a different audience. He also examines the importance of understanding the cultural context of the poem in order to get the most out of it. He concludes by discussing the potential for a translator to bring out the beauty of a poem, as well as the potential for misinterpreting a poem due to the translator’s own biases and lack of understanding of the original culture.
Abstract:
The article or an excerpt - if to say so with reference to the book titled 'The Collected Essays of A. K. Ramanujan' (1999) - titled as 'On Translating a Tamil Poem' discusses the difficulties in translating one literary text having its origin in a native or particular language into the foreign language on grounds of the diverse nature of phonetics, linguistics, and grammatical aspects of the selected languages which are tabled for translating the text into them. The essay gives meticulous accounts of difficulties and variation with ample examples from Tamil Poetry and English Rhymes while translating the selected text of one language into another one/s. It serves as the pre-reading piece for any translator of the world working within or without the boundaries of academics or as a freelancer translator. The author has objectively put the practical exertion of translation and become part of the vast field of Translation Studies.
The key arguments of the article are:
1. The difficulty of preserving the original meaning of a Tamil poem while making it relevant to a different audience.
2. The importance of understanding the cultural context of the poem in order to get the most out of it.
3. The potential for a translator to bring out the beauty of a poem.
4. The potential for misinterpreting a poem due to the translator’s own biases and lack of understanding of the original culture.
This article is written in three parts:
1. The Difficulty of Accurately Conveying Spirit: Ramanujan begins this essay by discussing the difficulty of accurately conveying the poetic spirit of works across linguistic boundaries.
2. Investigating the Nuances of Translation: Ramanujan investigates the nuances of translation by detailing the specific differences between Tamil and English poetry.
3. The Best Solution: Ramanujan ultimately finds that the best solution is for translators to understand the cultural context and related influences of the author.
In the article “On Translating a Tamil Poem,” Ramanujan explores the challenges that come with translating a poem from the Tamil language into something more accessible to those who don’t have a deep understanding of the language. He uses the example of a particular poem he had translated to illustrate the difficulties he faced. The poem, “A Bird in the Banyan Tree,” was written by the Indian poet U.V. Swaminatha Iyer.
Ramanujan demonstrates the complexities associated with translating a poem like this. He discusses how the Tamil language is full of words and cultural references that do not translate well into English. He cites examples of how certain words in the poem simply could not be translated and had to be replaced with other words that were still close in meaning. He also talks about how certain words can have multiple meanings, and how the translator must be aware of the exact nuance and choose the right word to communicate the same feeling in English.
1. Polysemy: the ability for one word to have multiple meanings, and how the translator must be aware of the exact nuance to choose the right word to communicate the same feeling in English.
2. Syntax: the structure and length of the English language, and how the translator must be willing to sacrifice certain details or phrases in order to make the poem accessible to a wider audience.
3. Semantics: the cultural references that do not translate well into English, and how certain words must be replaced with other words that are still close in meaning.
4. Pragmatics: the importance of being aware of both the language and culture of the source material and of being willing to sacrifice certain details in order to communicate the main idea and feeling of the poem.
5. Stylistics: the complexities associated with translating a poem, and how the translator must be aware of the nuances and poetic conventions associated with the poem.
Ramanujan also outlines some of the limitations he faced while translating the poem, such as the length and structure of the English language. He talks about how the translator must be willing to sacrifice certain details or phrases in order to make the poem accessible to a wider audience.
Ramanujan’s article is an important piece of writing for anyone interested in poetry translation. It discusses the intricacies and challenges of translating from one language to another and provides incredible insight into the process. It also highlights the importance of being aware of both the language and culture of the source material and of being willing to sacrifice certain details in order to communicate the main idea and feeling of the poem. Ramanujan’s article is still studied and respected to this day, and it is clear why.
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