In his text, Seidensticker explores the challenges of translating between two vastly different languages, such as Japanese and English. One example he provides is a translation of a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In English, the line is not only elegant for its meaning but also for its simplicity. However, Seidensticker notes that when translated into Japanese, the number of syllables doubles, disrupting the original rhythm of the text. He argues that this distortion compromises the elegance of the piece, and I agree, particularly because Hamlet is an artistic work where rhythm plays a crucial role.
Seidensticker also highlights the issue of ambiguity in Japanese texts, where passages are often deliberately vague, leaving room for the reader’s interpretation. As a translator, this poses a challenge, as editors typically expect a clear translation, which can be difficult when there is little to clarify.
Beyond these translation difficulties, Seidensticker introduces an intriguing method for assessing translation accuracy: comparing the number of proper nouns in both versions of the text. If one contains significantly more proper nouns than the other, it may signal a poor translation. However, he cautions that relying too heavily on this method can affect the text’s rhythm. While I understand the logic behind this test, I believe that in practice, maintaining the rhythm and readability of the text is ultimately more important for the quality of a translation.
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