A translation is no translation, he said, unless it will…
“A translation is no translation, he said, unless it will give you the music of a poem along with the words of it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Translation must convey both meaning and the poetic rhythm of the original.
In simple terms: Translate meaning and music together.
Seek both sense and sound in translation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- poem translation
- song lyric adaptation
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What techniques preserve rhythm in translation?
- How do you balance fidelity and creativity?
Focusing only on literal meaning loses artistic essence.