• Parzivus [any]
    ·
    3 years ago

    For poetry or anything with a rhythm, i totally get

    That's the thing though, most literature uses clever writing, jokes, and phrases that don't have a 1:1 translation. A good translator can theoretically make something equally good, but they can't make it the same. Depending on how much you care about the meaning/feeling of the original work, that can be really important.

    • hexaflexagonbear [he/him]
      ·
      3 years ago

      That’s the thing though, most literature uses clever writing, jokes, and phrases that don’t have a 1:1 translation

      As i said, I don't think simply speaking another language gives you access to these things that don't have a 1:1 translation. Being immersed in the culture does, having grown up with the language and forming an emotional bond to certain phrases distinct to the language does. If you learn the language as a non-native speaker I think for the most part the best you can do is come up with the closest meaning, but not the original intent.