Translating Poetry (Jordan)

 I found it interesting that Pulvers said "distancing yourself from the syntax of the original may be the way to get closest to that original". I think there is a lot of truth to this, and anyone with experience learning another language will probably understand it. Instead of translating the syntax from one language to another, one must first transform the syntax into meaning, tone, and voice, as Pulvers calls it. From this abstract concept of the original work, the final translation must be created. This doesn't only apply to literary translations, it also applies to speaking a new language. You may start with a sentence in your native language that you wish to express in the new one. It may be tempting to go straight from one to the other, but as Pulvers said you must distance yourself from the syntax before making the translation. This is how you avoid sounding unnatural. 

The question of is can poetry be adequately translated is an interesting one. As Beichmana mentions, it is likely because poetry relies on sound and form for its effect, and these are not easy to translate alongside the meaning of the original. Poetry seems to provide a difficult task, but also seems to provide the most flexibility in the translation. For example, Kafu's translation of La Lune Blanche changes the meaning of the original poem. Typically this would be seen as a violation of the original, but in poetry sometimes the most accurate translation is not the most literal one. Poetry is comprised of many different elements, not only explicit meaning, and the translator can decide which elements to focus on preserving between translations.