Microsoft Word Revised Syllabus Ver doc

Hurdles of Translation 
When one translates the literature of ancient times to modernize language, he is bound 
to face numerous hurdles regarding language and theme. Since language changes both 
horizontally and vertically, the translator cannot render it faithfully. He is more true in the 
case of a language that grows rapidly owing to heavy borrowings, coinages etc. For example, 
as we know the story of English Language, the old Kin’s English, through the ages, because 
of borrowing, has drastically been altered. Even many of the English words have lost their 
meanings, while many of the remaining has undergone a change. Coinages and borrowings, 
in translation, require an extensive glossing. For instance, when one translates old English 
poems like Beowulf, Widsith, Finn, Maldon, he finds maximum difficulties in regard to 
language. Besides, prosody troubles a good deal as in the old English there were on-verse and 
off-verse lifts as much as time and stress factors. 
When one undertakes the work of translating literature of one genre into another 
either in the same language or from one language to another, he is to encounter myriad 

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difficulties. If, an old English poem is to be translated into a different language, say in prose, 
because of linguistic barriers, the work upsets the translator. For example, when Finn, an old 
English poem sung by Scope and Gleemen, was rendered into prose in English and other 
European languages, it underwent a considerable metamorphosis. That is why, it is said, that 
poetry cannot be translated. But in Hillaire Belloc’s view, poetry can be reclothed into a 
living prose. Therefore, Mathew Arnold thinks since it has a rhythm, metre, poetic 
exuberance and melody cannot be rendered into another medium. 
Medium to medium translation is possible excepting poetry. Since it has 
uninterpretable emotional shades, poetry is bound to lose its flavour if it is translated into 
another medium. However, in Arnold’s view only the poet can do it successfully. In this 
regard, one can remember Tagore who himself translated his poems into English under the 
title ‘Gitanjali’. For poetry translation, at least, in J.P. Postgate’s opinion, one should have 
poetic sensibility. 
Unfortunately the art of translation is a difficult job again for the same reason that one 
cannot have two mother tongues, or one can hardly learn two or more languages sufficiently 
to do justice to the original work. Besides, the difficulties of understanding are there ever 
before. The re-translation of great classic, into the same language is a clear evidence for this. 
Secondly there are no clear-cut rules and regulations in this regard. However, inspite of all 
the difficulties involved, the art of translation is certainly very useful work - helpful, 
enlightening and remunerative, even though it is not as prestigious as creative writing.