Poetry unites individuals, societies and ages through a dialect that transcends ethnicity, dialogue and eras. It embodies a philosophy beyond terminology, wherein emotions, enthusiasms and events are transformed into the ink that populates the soul’s pages. In this sphere, multilingual poetry (as in multifaceted and translated into other languages, as well as having different words/verse from different languages in one poem) is an enchanting orchestra.
My desire to write about this subject started with thinking about poems. I searched to read the poems in a few stories that interested me. I think I understood the points that I thought were relevant to the subject. But I couldn’t perceive it completely. I guess I don’t need to say that I experienced this a lot, especially in poems I read in a different language.
Nevertheless, I did not worry about it, because I could see that the poems were full of emotion and I could not accompany that emotion at that moment. Sometimes narratives are like that. Even in an academic work or a fictional story, let alone a poem, we may not be able to fully immerse ourselves in what is being conveyed or imagine it.
So in the following days, in a different mood, I tried it again. I even found and read the translation in my own language. Of course, the feeling I got this time was different. Although I could visualise some of the concepts better, I still had doubts that I could grasp what was being said. I think this is the beauty of the poem. I think the fact that it makes you read it again and again, that it makes you feel differently each time and that some concepts are better perceived when you look back after a certain period of time makes it a good poem.
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Multilingual verse illustrates how individuals can communicate their feelings, thoughts and encounters in our diverse world with a plethora of languages. It transcends individual languages, demonstrating the sophistication of poetry and encouraging people not to limit themselves to one language. And these verses are a sign that poets want to shout out their feelings in different ways, whatever makes them feel better.
By crossing linguistic boundaries, multilingual poetry brings individuals together in a common expression of humanity. A beautiful and emotive poem can have a profound effect on those who speak another language. Despite being separated by distance, the feelings and connections of the poem endure, uniting people from all over the world.
But beneath the words lies a complexity. We can grasp the meaning, but struggle to fully understand the emotions they carry. Various elements such as cultural subtleties, individual experiences and local customs come together to create a multifaceted interpretation. What may bring happiness to one reader may bring sadness to another. The cadence of a dialect, its metaphors and idioms (which, in my opinion, should be the most difficult points in translation), shape the emotional topography of the poem in a personal and distinctive fashion.
When it comes to multilingual poetry, the difficulty lies in translation. It’s a fine line to walk — to keep the essence intact or risk losing it through dilution. It is a delicate task, with global accessibility at stake and the potential loss of the poem’s subtle nuances. Any translation aims to capture the beauty of the poem while preserving its essence and spirit.
Translating a poem directly from its source into another language can add a unique freshness and authenticity that can be lost through intermediaries. The link between the original language and the translated language (translation without an intermediate language) can provide a special perspective.
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Multilingual poetry celebrates humanity’s shared emotional experiences and the beauty of linguistic diversity. It connects people through verses that bridge language barriers and touch our hearts without the need for words.
Although the essence of a poem can be grasped through translation, its full emotional impact is felt in the original language. The polyglot wordsmith, like a maestro conducting an opus in tongues, urges us to listen to the different dialects of the planet, to explore the complex fabric of societies and to appreciate the global harmony that resonates through the hymn of rhyme. In this melodious montage of vocabulary, emotions and images, we discover the common truths that harmonise us as a whole.
My recommendation is to find some poetry books that have the original language on one page and the translation on the other. You may find it easier to follow the lines within the help of parallel reading. But beware, do not concentrate on this task all the time for each verse. You might lose the flow of the words where you should be dancing.
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