Thank you for this insightful comparison of translations. I wonder if you've seen the recent translation by Tom Shippey (with a commentary by Leonard Neidorf). Here's 74 - 85:
I heard that across middle-earth there were many tribes
set to work, to make splendid the great seat of the people.
It happened quickly as time goes among men,
that it was all ready, the greatest of halls.
He whose word ruled widely gave it the name
of Heorot, Staghall. Nor did he belie his word,
he gave out rings and treasure at the feast.
The hall towered, high and wide-gabled.
It was waiting for the fire of war, hateful flame —
after deadly spite, the armed hatred
between father and daughter's husband.
In general, I've been enjoying it as a plain and clear, if not very poetical, rendering, one that frequently includes helpful explanatory glosses of names (as with "Staghall," here). But I'd be interested in the impressions of someone with your superior knowledge of the poem.
I don't currently have access to this edition; I would like to read more from it, especially given Shippey's eminent career as a scholar. My initial impression from this excerpt is basically what you said—it seems clear and readable, leaning toward lineated prose but with some vigorous imagery. I appreciate the not-so-smooth syntax in the last three lines; I don't like it when translators smooth out all of the rough modes of expression that we often find in ancient poetry.
I am just curious: which translation do you consider the most poetic? And which one, in your opinion, is the most accurate? (By the way, it seems common for the best part of any translation to be found in its... notes—such as in the case of the word 'fælsian.' :) ) Benjamin Bagby's performance is wonderful!
I agree, Bagby's performance is marvelous and very thought-provoking!
Of the four translations here, I would say that Ramey's is the most accurate (it's probably one of the most accurate ever made) and Chickering's is the most poetic. However, poeticization was not Ramey's priority, and when I say "most poetic," I am necessarily referring to modern poetic sensibilities. It is not possible to re-create the semantic and cultural force of the original while also making the text feel highly poetic for modern readers, because poetic style has changed so much since the days of Old English.
Thank you for this insightful comparison of translations. I wonder if you've seen the recent translation by Tom Shippey (with a commentary by Leonard Neidorf). Here's 74 - 85:
I heard that across middle-earth there were many tribes
set to work, to make splendid the great seat of the people.
It happened quickly as time goes among men,
that it was all ready, the greatest of halls.
He whose word ruled widely gave it the name
of Heorot, Staghall. Nor did he belie his word,
he gave out rings and treasure at the feast.
The hall towered, high and wide-gabled.
It was waiting for the fire of war, hateful flame —
after deadly spite, the armed hatred
between father and daughter's husband.
In general, I've been enjoying it as a plain and clear, if not very poetical, rendering, one that frequently includes helpful explanatory glosses of names (as with "Staghall," here). But I'd be interested in the impressions of someone with your superior knowledge of the poem.
You're welcome, and thank you for commenting!
I don't currently have access to this edition; I would like to read more from it, especially given Shippey's eminent career as a scholar. My initial impression from this excerpt is basically what you said—it seems clear and readable, leaning toward lineated prose but with some vigorous imagery. I appreciate the not-so-smooth syntax in the last three lines; I don't like it when translators smooth out all of the rough modes of expression that we often find in ancient poetry.
I am just curious: which translation do you consider the most poetic? And which one, in your opinion, is the most accurate? (By the way, it seems common for the best part of any translation to be found in its... notes—such as in the case of the word 'fælsian.' :) ) Benjamin Bagby's performance is wonderful!
I agree, Bagby's performance is marvelous and very thought-provoking!
Of the four translations here, I would say that Ramey's is the most accurate (it's probably one of the most accurate ever made) and Chickering's is the most poetic. However, poeticization was not Ramey's priority, and when I say "most poetic," I am necessarily referring to modern poetic sensibilities. It is not possible to re-create the semantic and cultural force of the original while also making the text feel highly poetic for modern readers, because poetic style has changed so much since the days of Old English.
The 'thing' of V2 was/is a thurs of aggiornamento. Grendel is a squatter pope.