Dostoevsky: Translation Problems

Abstract

The translation of Dostoevsky’s works presents numerous problems, and their analysis can be a most efficient way for the creation of a translation theory and methodology for profound texts characterized by the fact that words link on different levels and each time activate distinct elements of their semantic range. The discrepancy between semantic ranges in different languages leads to the high possibility of losing one or more correlations between words in translation. For the reader of the translation, the consequence is the disappearance of one or more threads of meaning running through the original text. Authorial transversal concepts and hidden quotes suffer the most from this situation, as the reduction or the change of the initial valence of the word causes that the translated word, even if perfectly fitted for the narrow context of the concrete sentence, completely loses its reference to the cited text or the thread the concept waves in the text. The article offers concrete examples of and possible solutions to the problems occurring during the process of translation. This kind of problem usually helps to reveal the strategy and the attitude of the author of the text.

Keywords

• translation problems
• profound text
• writer’s theory of art
• dostoevsky in french
• andré markowicz
• the adolescent
• the brothers karamazov