The Art of Translating Poetry

The Art of Translating Poetry, Volume 1, is a comprehensive guide to the complex process of literary translation. Written by experienced critic Burton Raffel, this work falls within the categories of poetry history and criticism. The text is divided into two sections, focusing first on the technical linguistic constraints of translation and later on the practical, subjective elements of the craft. It examines various forms, genres, and prosody across a wide array of European and Asian languages.

This scholarly study argues that while literal translation is impossible, a skilled poet can create a usable approximation of the original work. The Art of Translating Poetry explores the translator's responsibility to the text and the necessity of maintaining poetic form over prose. By combining linguistic knowledge with practical experience, this volume provides a systematized approach to translating poetry across diverse global literatures.