First part of the What is Translation podcast series looking at translation of classical texts. In this part, the question of whether there is a core to translation; is there a central guiding idea to translation is discussed.

Is there ever a Faithful Translation?

In four short dialogues, Oliver Taplin, Emeritus Professor in the Oxford University Classics Department and Lorna Hardwick, Professor of Classical Studies and Director of the Classical Receptions in Late Twentieth Century Drama and Poetry in English project, discuss the issues surrounding the translation of Ancient Greek and Roman texts for modern audiences. Looking into the technical, philosophical and literary aspects of this, they centre their discussions around four topics: Is there a core to translation? Is there ever a faithful translation? Can Poetry be Translated? And who translates and for whom?