Magin_Edward-thesis

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As I see it, verse poetry depends on certain poetic devices, as does prose poetry,
and, certainly, some of these devices are used in both styles. But to retain the poetic
effects in the original poem, it seems logical to employ as many of the original’s poetic
devices as possible within the translated poem, cf., Boerger’s first and second principles
for the translation of poetry (1997:36; 2009:17), discussed in § 2.2.4.3. If the poetic
devices in the original are inappropriate or not reproducable in the receptor language,
then devices common to the receptor language should be employed. Such a decision
aligns with Boerger’s fourth principle. Hence, I do not agree with Donaldson (1975), or
Murry (1969:129), who said that “poetry should always be rendered into prose.”
The second reason I chose to write a verse translation is the audience. While most
writers of poetry in Northern Iraq are writing prose poems these days, I am not convinced
that prose poetry is the style preferred by the general public. My opinion is based on the
many conversations I had while in Northern Iraq. While some people would mention
various prose poets during our conversations, it is the poets of the Classical and Neoclassical
styles that received the highest praise―especially from poets themselves! I do
wonder why most poets have so quickly abandoned the Neo-classical style. It seems to
have developed out of a desire to leave the past behind and grab hold of everything new.
My interview with Mihsin Quçan was most enlightening in this regard. Events over the
last two decades have drastically changed the lives of the people of Northern Iraq. To
write freely―in free verse―is perhaps just one of the many ways people are expressing
their newfound freedoms. But I have opted to utilize a verse form familiar to Northern
Kurdish speakers, believing that there is still a vast readership for poetry of the Neoclassical
style.
With respect to Holmes’ four approaches to verse translation, as discussed in
§ 2.2.4.1.2, I chose to produce an “analogous form,” to translate the poem into a verse
form known in the receptor language. I personally felt that a verse form familiar to the
people would provide a wider readership and be well received. With consideration to
Holmes’ “retention versus modernization” model, discussed in § 2.2.4.2, my decision was
to retain, or “historicize,” on the verse level, but use a form common to poetry in the