Francisca Gonzalez-Arias to Publish Dickinson Translation
Francisca Gonzalez-Arias, part-time lecturer in Spanish, will publish this fall a translation into Spanish of Fascicles 9 & 10 of Emily Dickinson’s poetry.
Speaking about the project, Francisca says:
Dickinson’s poetry has not been translated in its entirety into Spanish. There are just a couple of translations of selected poems (by Silvina Ocampo, and Amalia Rodríguez Monroy). A few years ago, the University of Valencia embarked on a project, edited by the Dickinson scholar Paul Scott Derrick, to publish translations of Dickinson’s Fascicles. After Fascicles 1-6 were published the translator withdrew from the project, and the Valencia press turned to me. Needless to say there were huge challenges, among them retaining Dickinson’s concision. I never even tried to reproduce the rhyme.
Below is an example of Francisca’s work, with both the original English and the translation into Spanish. This is a poem from Fascicle 9, written in 1861.
English (Original)
My River runs to Thee –
Blue Sea – Wilt welcome me?
My River waits reply –
Oh Sea – look graciously!
I’ll fetch thee Brooks
From spotted nooks –
Say Sea – Take me?
Spanish (Translation)
Mi Río corre hacia Ti –
Mar Azul – ¿Me das la bienvenida?
Mi Río aguarda respuesta –
O Mar – ¡míra con gentileza!
Te traeré Ríachuelos
De recovecos motejados –
Dí Mar – ¿Me llevas?