고전 작품 해설번역의 의의

A Study on the Expository Translation of Classics: Focusing on 『Beowulf』

Unlike modern translation the rendering of classics will face various cruces owing to unique word combination, unusual rhythmic pattern, and ambiguous etymology. Seamus Heaney's modern English translation of 『Beowulf』has been much acclaimed by the critics and general readers as well. However, his translation seems to fall short of the accurate reading of『Beowulf』, which can be achieved only through the comprehensive understanding of heroic principles forming the backbone of comitatus and the thorough knowledge of Old English based on etymology. This kind of accurate reading and the ensuing translation can possibly be inconceivable either in the forms of literal translation or sense by sense translation. Hence the necessity of expository translation arises. Apart from the main body of translation from the original text this expository translation will contain detailed information about the background knowledge of the poem in the form of footnote. Surely the expository translation will enhance the reader's understanding of the given work. However, problems will still remain on the matter of choosing the exact original meaning based on etymology, which has been controversial amongst scholars. Besides, reader's readability might be decreased because of pedantic explanations attached with special jargons. In this respect the translator should be mindful of the difference between the level of explanation and the expectation of readers.