Poetry Club Talks…Translation with Sean Dwyer

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zfnbk-f786a8

Topic: Translation
Host: Ron
Poem: W.S. Merwin’s translation of Pablo Neruda’s “Poema 20”
Recorded: January 9, 2021

Dwyer vs Merwin / Poem 20

We have a guest this week! Author, poet, musician, Western Washington University Spanish professor, and host of the monthly Village Books Open Mic Sean Dwyer joins the club today.

Under the microscope are two poems; W.S. Merwin’s Spanish/English translation of Pablo Neruda’s (b.1904-d.1973) “Poema 20” vs. Sean’s translation.   Open up the document (attached) and follow along as Sean takes us line by line, explaining the difference between native and dictionary translation, the importance of cultural understanding, the effort to keep the original rhyming scheme, and more.  

 
We packed the presentation and Q/A into one show
 
Guide
Start – 43:00 minutes is a line by line exploration
43:00 – 48:00 Sean reads his translation in Spanish
48:00 – 1:20:00 Group Questions and Answer
1:20:00 – We close with Pablo himself reading the original “Poem 20”  
 
-Thank you Sean for joining us today.  It was a delight!
 
Please visit Sean’s website to learn more about this fascinating writer:
https://www.seandwyerauthor.com/quest
 
photo: Dwyer, Author photo and the cover of his latest book “Quest for Tears” about his recovery from a traumatic brain injury.  

Published by Shannon Laws

Like my writing? Want to hear me read my poetry? Please visit https://chickadeeproductions.bandcamp.com/releases and download some today. Only $1.00 a poem! Shannon Laws is a Pacific Northwest poet. Her story-telling poetry has touched many hearts and minds. She is the author of four poetry books, the most recent “Fallen” published by Independent Writer’s Studio Press. Shannon has received two Mayor’s Arts Awards and the Community Champion Award for promoting local artists on community radio and encouraging peace and understanding through community poetry events. She makes her home in Bellingham, Washington, USA.

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