Translated Aging: Exploring the Effects of Time on the Human Body Over the Years
In the contemporary literary landscape, translator Massimo Palazzo finds himself re-translating the works of George Orwell - specifically, the seminal titles "1984" and "Animal Farm." While these works have previously been translated into Italian, Palazzo's responsibility lies in revisiting the translations, creating a palimpsest of interpretations as a result.
The reason for this layering can be attributed to the expiration of seventy years since Orwell's death, which will see his works enter the public domain. This means that any publisher can subsequently include his works in their catalog, likely leading to numerous new translations. This legion of translators aims to distill the essence of Orwell's language, rather than simply offering a fresh coat of paint on the prose of a 20th-century literary giant.
One intriguing issue that arises when discussing translations is that while translations age, the original works seem to remain untouched by time. Contrasting translations from decades past with the original works, such as Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield," reveals a stark difference; the older translations are encumbered by cumbersome, redundant prose, while the original text sparkles with freshness and liveliness. How is it that one language ages and the other endures? What propels one prose to gather dust while the other remains sharp?
The author postulates that exceptional authors, like Orwell, might have struck a Faustian deal with literature's equivalent of the devil, securing an immunity to the ravages of time and ensuring an eternal youth for their language. Writers connect with a culture's spirit and tap into its eternal elements, creating a lingua fuente, as it were, that defies age and adaptation.
The translator, then, becomes akin to an army, tirelessly working to decipher and bridge the gap between the original text and the target audience. Composed of language enthusiasts and purveyors of literature, this phalanx employs varied skillsets and resources - including outdated dictionaries and exhaustive research - in an effort to recapture the brilliance of the author's work.
In the case of Orwell, his works, which critique power, language, and totalitarianism, require an acute understanding of their themes to be effectively translated. As societies evolve and change, the translator's task becomes increasingly challenging, as they must continually adapt the text to resonate with modern sensibilities.
This phenomenon raises interesting questions about the nature of language and its relationship to time, culture, and interpretation. Ultimately, the original works—due to their canonical status, enduring themes, and the authority of the author's voice—remain a beacon of literary constancy in an ever-changing world.
The exploration of translating George Orwell's works opens up discussions about the future, as his books, including "1984" and "Animal Farm," will soon enter the public domain, potentially leading to numerous new translations in multiple sections, such as home-and-garden, lifestyle, books, and entertainment. The seemingly eternal fresheness of Orwell's language, despite the aging of translations, raises intriguing questions about the unique connection between exceptional authors and the enduring essence of their work, as if they have struck a deal with literature's equivalent of the devil, ensuring an eternal youth for their language, much like a flourishing home-and-garden or a captivating book in one's lifestyle.
