Essay on the Principles of Translation (Tytler)/Chapter 7
CHAP VII.
The rule which enjoins to a translator the imitation of the style of the original author, demands several limitations.
1. This imitation must always be regulated by the nature or genius of the languages of the original and of the translation.
The Latin language admits of a brevity, which cannot be successfully imitated in the English.
Cicero thus writes to Trebatius, (lib. 7. ep. 17.):
In Britanniam te profectum non esse gaudeo, quod et tu labore caruisti, et ego to de rebus illis non audiam.
It is impossible to translate this into English with equal brevity, and at the same time do complete justice to the sentiment. Melmoth, therefore, has shown great judgement, in sacrificing the imitation of style to the perfect transfusion of the sense. "I am glad for my sake, as well as yours, that you did not attend Cæsar into Britain; as it has not only saved you the fatigue of a very disagreeable journey, but me likewise that of being the perpetual auditor of your wonderful exploits." Melm. Cic. Lett. b. 2. l. 12.
Pliny to Minutianus, Lib. 3. Ep. 9. says, towards the end of his letter: Temerè dixi—Succurrit quod præterieram, et quidem serò: sed quanquam preposterè reddetur. Facit hoc Homerus, multique illius exemplo. Est alioqui perdecorum: a me tamen non ideo fiet. It is no doubt possible to translate this passage into English with a conciseness almost equal to the original. But in this experiment we must sacrifice all its ease and spirit. "I have said this rashly—I recollect an omission—somewhat too late indeed. It shall now be supplied, though a little preposterously. Homer does this: and many after his example. Besides, it is not unbecoming; but this is not my reason." Let us mark how Mr Melmoth, by a happy amplification, has preserved the spirit and ease, though sacrificing the brevity of the original. "But upon recollection, I find that I must recall that last word; for I perceive, a little too late indeed, that I have omitted a material circumstance. However, I will mention it here, though something out of its place. In this, I have the authority of Homer, and several other great names, to keep me in countenance; and the critics will tell you this irregular manner has its beauties: but, upon my word, it is a beauty I had not at all in my view."
An example of a similar brevity of expression, which admits of no imitation in English, occurs in another letter of Cicero to Trebatius, Ep. l. 7. 14.
Chrysippus Vettius, Cyri architecti libertus, fecit, ut te non immemorem putarem mei. Valde jam lantus es qui gravere literas ad me dare, homini præsertim domestico. Quod si scribere oblitus es, minus multi jam te advocato causâ cadent. Sin nostri oblitus es, dabo operam ut isthuc veniam antequam planè ex animo tuo effluo.
In translating this passage, Mr Melmoth has shewn equal judgement. Without attempting to imitate the brevity of the original, which he knew to be impossible, he saw that the characterising features of the passage were ease and vivacity; and these he has very happily transfused into his translation.
"If it were not for the compliments you sent me by Chrysippus, the freedman of Cyrus the architect, I should have imagined I no longer possessed a place in your thoughts. But surely you are become a most intolerable fine gentleman, that you could not bear the fatigue of writing to me, when you had the opportunity of doing so by a man, whom, you know, I look upon as one almost of my own family. Perhaps, however, you may have forgotten the use of your pen: and so much the better, let me tell you, for your clients, as they will lose no more causes by its blunders. But if it is myself only that has escaped your remembrance, I must endeavour to refresh it by a visit, before I am worn out of your memory, beyond all power of recollection."
The French language admits of a brevity of expression more corresponding to that of the Latin: and of this D'Alembert has given many happy examples in his translations from Tacitus.
Quod si vita suppeditet, principatum divi Nervæ et imperium Trajani, uberiorem, securioremque materiam senectuti seposui: rarâ temporum felicitate, ubi sentire quæ velis, et quæ sentias dicere licet, Præf. ad Hist." "Si les dieux m'accordent des jours, je destine à l'occupation et à la consolation de ma vieillesse, l'histoire interessante et tranquille de Nerva et de Trajan; tems heureux et rares, où l'on est libre de penser et de parler."
And with equal, perhaps superior felicity, the same passage is thus translated by Rousseau: "Que s'il me reste assez de vie, je reserve pour ma vieillesse la riche et paisible matiere des regnes de Nerva et de Trajan: rares et heureux tems, où l'on peut penser librement, et dire ce que l'on pense."
But D'Alembert, from too earnest a desire to imitate the conciseness of his original, has sometimes left the sense imperfect. Of this an example occurs in the passage before quoted, An. l. 1. c. 2. Cum cæteri nobilium, quanto quis servitio promptior, opibus et honoribus extollerentur: the translator, too studious of brevity, has not given the complete idea of his author, "Le reste des nobles trouvoit dans les richesses et dans les honneurs la récompense de l'esclavage."
Omnium consensu capax imperii nisi imperasset, Tac. hist. 1. 49. "Digne de l'empire au jugement de tout le monde tant qu'il ne regna pas." This is not the idea of the author; for Tacitus does not mean to say that Galba was judged worthy of the empire till he attained to it; but that all the world would have thought him worthy of the empire if he had never attained to it.
2. The Latin and Greek languages admit of inversions which are inconsistent with the genius of the English.
Mr Gordon, injudiciously aiming at an imitation of the Latin construction, has given a barbarous air to his translation of Tacitus: "To Pallas, who was by Claudius declared to be the deviser of this scheme, the ornaments of the prætorship, and three hundred seventy-five thousand crowns, were adjudged by Bareas Soranus, consul designed," An. b. 12.—"Still to be seen are the Roman standards in the German groves, there, by me, hung up, An. lib. 1." Naturally violent "was the spirit of Arminius, and now, by the captivity of his wife, and by the fate of his child, doomed to bondage though yet unborn, enraged even to distraction, Ibid. But he, the more ardent he found the affections of the soldiers, and the greater the hatred of his uncle, so much the more intent upon a decisive victory, weighed with himself all the methods," &c. lb. lib. 2.
Thus, Mr Macpherson, in his translation of Homer, (a work otherwise valuable, as containing a most perfect transfusion of the sense of his author), has generally adopted an inverted construction, which is incompatible with the genius of the English language. "Tlepolemus, the race of Hercules,—brave in battle and great in arms, nine ships led to Troy, with magnanimous Rhodians filled. Those who dwelt in Rhodes, distinguished in nations three,—who held Lindus, Ialyssus, and white Camirus, beheld him afar.—Their leader in arms was Tlepolemus, renowned at the spear, Il. l.2.—The heroes the slaughter began.—Alexander first a warrior slew—Through the neck, by the helm passed the steel.—Iphinous, the son of Dexius, through the shoulder he pierced—to the earth fell the chief in his blood, Ib. l. 7. Not unjustly we Hector admire; matchless at launching the spear; to break the line of battle, bold, Ib. l. 5. Nor for vows unpaid rages Apollo; nor solemn sacrifice denied," Ib. l. I.
3. The English language is not incapable of an elliptical mode of expression; but it does not admit of it to the same degree as the Latin. Tacitus says, Trepida civitas incusare Tiberium, for trepida civitas incepit incusare Tiberium. We cannot say in English, "The terrified city to blame Tiberius:" And even as Gordon has translated these words, the ellipsis is too violent for the English language; "hence against Tiberius many complaints."
Il. l. I. l. 53.
"For nine days the arrows of the god were darted through the camp." The elliptical brevity of Mr Macpherson's translation of this verse, has no parallel in the original; nor is it agreeable to the English idiom:
"Nine days rush the shafts of the God."