Freely Translated...

So, I haven't posted in a veeeerrrrrryyyyy long time. Part of the reason is that I've gotten really busy re-learning Greek (and Latin, but I remember that better, so it's less intensive).

I'm spending a lot of time translating stuff. Translation is hard because, on the one hand (Greeks LOVE the construction 'on the one hand...'!), you want to be as literal as possible to show that you understand the grammar, and on the other hand if you're too literal, you create weird, horrible English.

For example, instead of 'my hat', Greek likes to say 'the hat, the my one', or instead of 'how crazy', it says 'oh, of craziness'. The translator has to walk a middle line between the 'Oh friend, what do you?' and 'Yo homey, wassup?'

Since I tend to go more literal than the rest of the class when I translate, I thought it might be fun to do a loose translation of a passage from Aristophanes' Clouds from my JACTA text. Here ya go.

Strepsaides is an old guy whose son Pheidippides has run up a ton of debts because he's 'hippomanes' (horse-crazy -- yes, I can relate to that).

STREPS: Pheidippides, Pheidippides honey?

PHEID: Wassup, pops?

STREPS: Tell me, sonny-boy, do you love your old dad?

PHEID: Sure, whatever. I love you and (sings) I-ee-I will always love you-oo-ooo.

STREPS: Heh heh, but (sings) will you still love me tomorrow?

PHEID: Yeah, yeah, by Man o' War, I swear I'll love ya tomorrow. And I'll never stop lovin' ya. Sheesh.

STREPS: Fer cryin' out loud, don't swear by a horse, sonny! That's what got us into this mess in the first place. So, just listen and do what I tell you.

PHEID: Okay, whatev's, I'm listening. And I'll do whatever you want, like I always do whatever you want. So, what is it?

STREPS: It's just one teensy thing, sonny, a teensy-weensy thing. See, I've got a plan, and I know just what to do. But are you going to be team player?

PHEID: Yeah, by Seabiscuit, whatever you say. Quit trippin' pops. (puts in the earbuds of his IPod)

STREPS (ripping out earbuds): Are you listening or not? Do you think I'm talking 'cuz I like the sound of my own voice? Fine, then I won't tell you my plan.

PHEID: Okay, okay. I was listening, and I'm listening now, and I'll always be listening. Cripes. (sighs) So, what were you sayin' again?

STREPS: I was saying that I have a plan!

PHEID: But what kind of plan? What have you got in mind, what are you scheming about? Come on and tell me already.

STREPS: Not yet, but I will tell you. Maybe, just maybe, my plan will save us from these huge debts you've run up. It's one hell of a plan!

PHEID: Then just tell me! What's this amazing plan, pops? What do you want me to do? And how's it gonna save us, anyway? How can your plan get us out of debt?

STREPS: So, you'll do it?

PHEID: Yes, for the three-hundredth time, I'll do it, by Smarty Jones!


What is Strepsiades's big idea? Tune in tomorrow...