The Bilingual Muse: Self-Translation among Russian Poets

The Bilingual Muse examines the work of seven Russian poets who translated their own poems into English, French, German, or Italian, exploring verbal creativity, translation, and bilingual identities. It argues that the perceived marginality of self-translation stems from a romantic privileging of the mother tongue and the original text, but the recent dispersion of Russian speakers over three continents has created a more receptive milieu for multilingual creativity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2023
Publisher: Northwestern University Press

The Bilingual Muse delves into the captivating world of seven Russian poets who ventured into the realm of translation, skillfully rendering their own poems into English, French, German, or Italian. Through meticulous analysis, Adrian Wanner explores the intricate interplay between verbal creativity and the challenges of translation, shedding light on the diverse linguistic landscapes.

Wanner contends that the perception of self-translation as marginal arises from a romantic reverence for the mother tongue and the original text. In the backdrop of the unprecedented dispersion of Russian speakers across three continents, a new generation of diasporic Russians emerges, fostering a receptive environment that nurtures multilingual creativity. This literary journey will captivate scholars engaged in Russian literature, comparative literature, applied linguistics, translation studies, and the rapidly evolving field of self-translation studies.

The Bilingual Muse offers a profound exploration of the complexities and nuances of translation, unveiling the profound impact of linguistic choices on the artistic expression of poetry. By examining the parallel versions of self-translated poetic texts, Wanner sheds light on the intricate dance between the original language and the translated language, highlighting the unique qualities and limitations of each rendition.

Through his insightful analysis, Wanner challenges the notion of a fixed and universal meaning inherent in a poem. He emphasizes that translation is a dynamic process that involves interpretation, negotiation, and the creation of new meanings. He explores the challenges and rewards of preserving the essence of the original text while adapting it to the linguistic and cultural nuances of the target language.

The book also delves into the complex dynamics of bilingual identities, examining how the act of translation shapes and reshapes the poet's sense of self and cultural heritage. Wanner explores the challenges and rewards of navigating multiple languages and cultures, as well as the ways in which bilingualism can foster creativity and broaden perspectives.

In conclusion, The Bilingual Muse is a groundbreaking work that offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the world of translation and bilingualism. Through its meticulous analysis and engaging narrative, Wanner provides a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies, shedding light on the complexities and rewards of cross-linguistic communication. This book will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone passionate about the power of language and the art of translation.

Weight: 633g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780810141247