Walking the Fine Line of Translation
Thanks to Naomi of Storahtelling for pointing out this ancient (mid-first-millennium AD) thought about translation, from the Babylonian Talmud (Kiddushin 49a):
Rabbi Judah said: One who translates a verse according to its form is a liar; and one who adds anything commits blasphemy and sacrilege.
(my translation from the Aramaic)
Plus ça change…
One Response
How we be sure he didn’t actually say:
“One who translates a verse **contrary to** its form is a liar; and one who adds anything commits blasphemy and sacrilege.”
In some languages, it’s hard to tell the difference…
🙂