Second part of the What is Translation podcast series. In this part, the question of whether there can be a faithful translation; does the act of translating a text change the meaning of the original is discussed.

Can Poetry be Translated?

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?