POETRY UNTRANSLATABILITY: MYTH OR REALITY?

Abstract

Introduction. The article deals with the problem of poetry translatability/untranslatability that has been an object of long period debate of humanitarian sphere thinkers and scholars. Translatability is considered as key phenomenon in translation theory, as basic principle of translator’s world outlook, as manifest of mutual attraction, understanding and implementation ability, that is interpretation of another world of thoughts and feelings by means of self realm specific expression forms, as well as dynamic and quite objective firmness parameter of the bridges of mutual understanding, the state of languages, men and the people clutch. Purpose. The present paper aims to reveal the means of poem’s macroimage structure creation, to analyze its image components as well as to study the types of transformations they are subjected to in the process of translation. Methods. The multi-faceted and complex nature of poetic image, the diversity of its linguistic realizations and the set above aims have determined it necessary to employ translatological method being a complex of methods and techniques of analysis. Results. Objective discrepancies of two language systems that enter translation relationship always restricts translator’s activity, difficulties are also created by poem multiple sense nature and culture discrepancy, however all that doesn’t mean that adequate translation is impossible since great translation heritage of well known poetic translation masters as well as its professional all-round analysis definitely prove the contrary. Aiming to refute the untranslatability statement and to assess the translation quality data one of the hardest in terms of translation poetic genre limerick original texts and their foreign language interpretations have been analyzed and image transformations with the help of which each translation was completed have been considered. The strategic essence of poetic translation is viewed here through the prisms of poem structure transformation and poem translation process is considered to be its macroimage structure reimplementation by the target language means through the structure image components linguistic, hierarchy and extra linguistic contextual relationship reconstruction. Originality. The originality of the present article is seen in the analysis of a poem as macroimage, which has been carried out on the basis of limerick original texts and their foreign language interpretations. The author studies ways of rendering in translation of the content and form building images which constitute a macroimage. Conclusion. Having denied the considerations of artistic work untranslatability idea adepts the author of this article is confident in the fact that untranslatability statement has been objected by life itself in the form of modern translation practice. The multiple poems translations analysis has proved that adequate translation of poetry is possible, and its adequacy depends on several factors such as translation pragmatic aim, translation strategy, which has been chosen, etc. And this objective is achieved not by means of each poem component mechanical transfer but through the reconstruction of these components’ harmonious interaction.