Poe in German translation, especially the main motifs

greenspun.com : LUSENET : The Work of Edgar Allan Poe : One Thread

I am writing a critical article on translation. The subject area is the motifs in Edgar Allan Poe, "The Tell-Tale Heart". Who has something to say about this that is worth my time? Does anyone know if the subject of Poe in translation has been discussed in the internet?

The texts I am using are: 1. "The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe", Penguin Books, 1965 2. "Edgar Allan Poe, Erzählungen", Reclam, 1989, Translator: Thekla Zachrau 3. "Edgar Allan Poe, Gesammelte Werke", Eurobooks, 1998, Translator: undisclosed

Thank you for your help.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2003

Answers

Mostly it has been in connection with the French poet Charles Baudelaire. There is the question of the difficulty in translating poetic music of course, the different way Baudelaire see Poe's ideas. German, French and English(with an Irish bent for music and mood) indicate a Celtic harmony that would make translation somewhat easier or a more subtle trap. The Gothic tradition Poe drew from harmonizes with its German roots. Poe uses French quotes and settings. Yet to translate directly into those idioms may mask his American qualities. I think so long as Poe's goals are met some license is allowed to communicate his methods as valued in relation to his primary effect.

Very often the characters, even the main character are suborned to the experience. So too the philosophical expositions, the lurid settings and memorable plots only empower the feeling overcoming the narrator.

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2003


Moderation questions? read the FAQ