Amelia Glaser's Translating

Ruoyi.zhang

This week, I had the pleasure of listening to Amelia Glaser's translation of war poetry. Despite her American background, she has executed her task admirably, translating all the poems about war that she believes are worth sharing. Not everyone can relate to poetry upon reading it, so understanding the context of the subject and the thoughts behind it is crucial because poets willingly share their work, eliminating any sense of intrusion. Previously, I've always acknowledged the authenticity, rationality, and effectiveness of literature published online, particularly on US-led social platforms like Facebook. On platforms like these, there's no IP address to verify the source, no introductions by acquaintances, and no knowledge of the position or identity of the other party. Thus, it becomes easy for individuals to manipulate the text to fit their desired narrative or direct the words and thoughts of others. Even after the introduction of a "certification authority," I wonder who provided the certification. Was it the CEO of Facebook whose stands is clearly shown? In distinguishing between posts and poetry, Glaser defines them by their formats. However, as mentioned in her previous talks, writing patterns have evolved from traditional poetry forms to everyday anecdotes, it is very simple to directly identify other's work as poems by not even communicating with the author for their opinions. Expanding one's own literary collection at the expense of minority perspectives on historical events is concerning.

Nonetheless, the efforts of individuals like Glaser to amplify minority voices and shed light on the horrors of war through translation are commendable. Making minority works known to the public, whether due to a lack of translators or insufficient recognition, serves to address these disparities. Poets like Iya Kiva and Halyna Kruk, who once occupied a small space in Ukrainian poetry but gained popularity through social media, have powerfully depicted the impact of war on civilian populations. Translating such poetry, which often includes dark humor, satire, and cultural nuances, can be challenging. Glaser's translations, however, demonstrate a remarkable ability to capture the essence and emotion of the original texts. While I may not have understood the original text, I could grasp the intended meaning and emotion conveyed through Glaser's choice of words.