Pessoa: Translating Emotion

Literal Translation

with some suggested synonyms

Pasmo sempre quando acabo qualquer coisa. Pasmo e desolo-me. O meu instinto de perfeição deveria inhibir-me de acabar; deveria inhibir-me de dar começo. Mas distraio-me e faço. O que consigo é um produto, em mim, não de uma aplicação da vontade, mas de uma cedência dela. Começo porque não tenho força para pensar; acabo porque não tenho alma oara suspender. Este livro é a minha cobardia.

I am always astonishedamazedsurprisedstupefied when I finish anythingsomething. I am astonishedamazedsurprisedstupefied and distressedsaddenedleft utterly empty. My instinct for perfection should inhibit me from finishing; it should inhibit me even from starting. But I forgetget distracted and I do somethingact. What I achieve is a product, in memyself, not of an application of the will, but of a giving insurrenderbending of it. I begin because I do not have the strengthenergy to think; I finish because I do not have the soulheartcourage to interrupt itstopset it aside. This book is my cowardice.  

Now produce your own version. Look in particular at the verbs of emotion. What seems most appropriate or precise as an English translation?

Should you keep any oddities of expression?

How will you deal with the abstractness of the language, e.g. in the sentence beginning 'O que consigo é um produto…'?

How will you translate 'alma' - 'soul' 'heart', 'courage', 'guts'? What should you do with the last sentence?

Read your finished version of the whole text out loud. Does the language flow, does it have the right cadence and rhythm?

Are there any awkward juxtapositions of sounds or unnecessary repetitions of words?

When you are satisfied with your version - or satisfied enough - look at the three versions on the next page

Read more...Interpretations

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