Emily Wilson's Masterclass in Translation: A Deep Dive into the Classics

Emily Wilson, a renowned translator, has published a new book titled Crossing the Wine Dark Sea, which offers a masterclass in translation and explores the joys of reading the classics. Her translations of the Odyssey in 2017 and the Iliad in 2023 have become the standard English-language versions, praised for their conciseness and fluency. They're widely regarded as the most accurate and engaging translations available.

Wilson's fascination with Homer began at the age of eight, when her primary school put on a production of the Odyssey, with her in the role of Athena. This early introduction to the classics sparked a lifelong passion. She's spent years studying and translating the works of ancient Greek and Roman authors. Her new book is a series of essays that delve into the challenges of translation and the pleasures of reading the classics.

The intersection of the ancient world with the modern is a key theme of Wilson's book. She draws parallels between the works of ancient authors such as Aeschylus, Demosthenes, Catullus, and Aristophanes, and the works of modern authors and artists, including Spike Lee, Erica Jong, and PG Wodehouse. She critiques those who look back on antiquity as a mirror in which we always find ourselves. This approach, she argues, can be limiting and misleading. It doesn't allow for a nuanced understanding of the ancient world and its complexities.

Wilson is known for her meticulous approach to translation. Her book offers a detailed exploration of the process. She discusses the challenges of translating ancient texts, including the difficulty of conveying the nuances of language and culture. She also shares her own experiences as a translator, including her struggles with certain passages. She explains how she made decisions about how to approach tricky translations.

It's a complex process that requires a deep understanding of the original text.

One of the most interesting aspects of Wilson's book is her discussion of the controversy surrounding Han Kang's novel The Vegetarian, which won the 2016 International Booker prize. The English-language version, translated by Deborah Smith, was denounced as a betrayal of the original. This raised questions about what makes a good translation. Wilson argues that a good translation should balance fidelity to the original with the need to make the text accessible to a new audience. She doesn't think it's possible to have a perfect translation, but she believes that translators should strive for accuracy and clarity.

Throughout her book, Wilson shares her insights on the art of translation. She offers practical advice and theoretical perspectives. She argues that translation is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a deep understanding of language, culture, and history. She emphasizes the importance of experimentation and creativity in translation. She encourages translators to take risks and try new approaches.

They shouldn't be afraid to challenge traditional translations and offer new interpretations.

Wilson's book is not just a guide to translation, but also a love letter to the classics. She writes with passion and enthusiasm about the works of ancient authors. She shares her own experiences of reading and translating these texts. Her book is a testament to the power of the classics to inspire and educate us. It highlights the importance of translation in making these works accessible to a wider audience.

Wilson's love for the classics is evident throughout the book. She wants to share this love with her readers and inspire them to explore the ancient world.

'The creation of a more reader-friendly translation does not necessarily imply a desire to appropriate or 'colonise' the foreign original,' Wilson says. 'But nor does it want the shock and surprise of a foreign text to be smoothed over.'

Wilson's own translation of the Odyssey is a case in point. She chose to use iambic pentameter rather than prose, in honour of Homer's dactylic hexameters. She made a conscious decision to use the adjective 'complicated' to describe Odysseus in the poem's first line. This choice reflects her emphasis on the complexity and nuance of the original text. She wanted to convey this complexity to a modern audience.

It's a choice that has been praised by scholars and readers alike. They appreciate her attention to detail and her commitment to accuracy.

Emily Wilson's Crossing the Wine Dark Sea is a masterclass in translation and a love letter to the classics. It offers a detailed exploration of the challenges and pleasures of translation. It shares Wilson's insights on the art of making ancient texts accessible to a modern audience. Whether you are a translator, a classicist, or simply a lover of literature, this book is a must-read. It's a book that will appeal to anyone interested in language, culture, and history.

It's a book that will inspire you to explore the ancient world and its many wonders.