The Art of Translation: Unseen Masters of the Stage
In the world of theatre, the role of a literary translator often goes unnoticed, yet it is a crucial element that can make or break a performance. Monica Capuani, a leading translator, describes the unique challenges and rewards of bringing international theatre to Italian audiences.
The Translator's Journey
Capuani's recent project, translating Marina Carr's Mirandolina, showcases the intricate process of literary translation. Starting with a literal English translation of Carlo Goldoni's La locandiera, Carr reimagined and updated the play, infusing it with contemporary Dublin sensibilities. Capuani then had the task of restoring Carr's version back into Italian, preserving the emotional depth and linguistic nuances.
A Collaborative Effort
The translation process is a collaborative art. Capuani worked closely with Carr, understanding her creative choices and the specific language she employed. Carr's deliberate use of unusual words required Capuani to find Italian equivalents that captured the same essence. This level of precision and attention to detail is essential in theatrical translation, where the audience has no opportunity to pause and reflect.
The Invisibility of Translators
Translators aim to disappear, ensuring the audience remains engaged with the performance rather than the translation. However, this very invisibility has led to the undervaluation of their craft. Capuani highlights how translators are often omitted from playbills, their contributions going unrecognized. Despite the immense skill and dedication required, translators are frequently underpaid and undervalued.
The Threat of Artificial Intelligence
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in translation has caused concern within the industry. Capuani draws a parallel between the impact of the internet on journalism and the potential effects of AI on translation. She believes AI lacks the contextual understanding and cultural sensitivity that human translators bring to their work. While AI can assist with research and checking details, its use as a replacement for human translators threatens the very essence of language and culture.
The Human Touch
Sonia Folin's essay, Survival of the Translator, emphasizes the importance of human translators. Folin argues that certain forms of understanding require the empathy and psychological insight of another human being. This sentiment is echoed in Capuani's anecdote about her psychoanalyst, where the subtle nuances of language revealed deeper emotional associations.
Conclusion
The work of literary translators like Monica Capuani is a testament to the power of human connection and understanding. Their invisible yet vital role in the theatre ensures that cultural exchanges are not just linguistic, but emotional and intellectual as well. As Capuani puts it, translators are the 'children of a lesser god', humbly serving the authors they translate, but their impact is profound and their craft is an art in itself.
