ART OF TRANSLATION

I perceive translating as the art, a combination of sculpture, painting and music.

Translating reminds me of sculpture, because from rough, raw and unfinished material, by removing excessive layers, we release something already present there and mould it into its final shape, so eventually the translated text appears as completed and well balanced sculpture. Some of the material is easier to carve and reach its deeper strata, and for further processing we have various artistic tools at disposal: resonance from the very essence of language, rhythm and harmony from music and architecture, colouring from painting.

This art is related to painting because colours are everywhere around us, and in language, too: each letter and every word has its own nuance, and consequently the dominant colouring of the sentence, which is of importance to final message quality. It is a matter of uncompromising skill to make compatible word choices for proper corresponding, which is exactly what gives each translation its tone, more or less in the spirit of source language. Each translator is aware that sometimes only one word can impede treading and then suddenly, out of nowhere, salvation comes in sponataneous ways. Also, literal rendering is one of the obstacles which should be overcome by giving descriptive yet accurate expressions from the very core of situation – "localized improvisation" so to say, bearing in mind that in the first place to improve means to make it better.

The music is evident with its rhythm, melody and intonation which, as in superb composition, must be in accord with the main theme, namely the content, eliminating misreadings – paragraphs provide specific key-note and tonality to the work. Each voice and vowel offer distinct frequency that differently echoes in the mind, and is changeable, while consonants are the meaning pillars of the words, defining a basic sense. It is an interdependent sequence of vowels and consonants which lends best solutions for the acoustics of the sentence, while accents add to the rhythmic pattern. When you read a perfectly translated sentence, there is nothing to give or take - it is hermetic yet living, in harmony, tune and time. Experienced translator also reduces that which is too long and augments that which is too short, making them equal - the elegant style evades unnecessary repeating and details. These rules apply essentially to literature and social sciences.

It is assumed that true art is aimed to be as close as possible to nature, and effortless too, so both laymen and connoisseurs should recognize the quality translation as attractive landscape view, simultaneously calming and refining; it is therefore our task to allow them to enjoy this journey through new spaces and places.