Modern Greek Poetry. Translation, Introduction, an Essay on Translation, and Notes.

FRIAR, K.,

About this Item

Simon and Schuster, New York, 1973. 1st printing. XX,780p. Original blue gilt stamped cloth with dust wrps. Nice copy. ?The publication of this volume establishes Kimon Friar as the foremost translator of modern Greek poetry. As a whole, this work sets a standard in the art of translation. (?) In the present volume, Friar?s knowledge of the history and transformations of the Greek language, his deep understanding of the cultural context of modern literature, his original theories on the raft of poetry and his life-long studies of prosody and mythology once again find a consummate expression. (?) In a substantial introduction (pp.3-130), Friar discusses the historical background, the development of the Greek language in relation to the literature and poetic movements down to the end of the nineteenth century, and gives critical summaries of the work and visions of the poets anthologised for this volume. (?) The major portion of this volume consists of translations from the works of thirty poets, from Carafes to Vrettakos, for a total of about 450 poems, presented in chronological order (pp.133-645). This section is followed by a brilliant essay on the art of translation where Friar discusses in depth the scope and nature of his endeavour, with frequent references to the tradition of translating from the Greek and other languages, and concludes with an original and technical section on ?Craft? (pp.649-678). Especially valuable is the next section which gives biographical accounts in alphabetical order, lists the poets? works according to editions, and offers helpful notes on the poems which require background information. (?) Viewed as a whole, this volume is testimony to the truth of Friar?s judgment on Greek ported, that ?in the last fifty years it has at last achieved universal validity.? (?) Every translation in this anthology bears the signature on an accomplished poet who brings to his task a theory on the aesthetics of translation, an essential part of which is an account of the nature of poetic creation. Friar argues for and applies throughout his ?method of transposition? which, fo him, is the median between the extremes of interlinear transliteration and free adaptation. In addition to meeting all the technical demands, the translator must also remain faithful to his own voice: ?he should be overheard as that one quality which gives unity and cohesion to his anthology.? (p.659). (?) It should be noted that Friar has made a strong case for the side which makes the understanding of the original intention of the artist fundamental to the aesthetics of translation. (JOHN P. ANTON in Comparative Literature Studies, 1976, pp.274-277).

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Modern Greek Poetry. Translation, Introduction, an Essay on Translation, and Notes.