Tone-fidelity for enrichment – Herder’s translation theory and practices
The famous German thinker Johann Gottfried Herder (1744–1803) has insightful thought of translation. According to
Herder’s exposition of the historicity of human language, the German language is in the adult phase. It can be enriched by
translating from more sensuous languages. In order to achieve the enrichment, Herder advocates an accommodating translation
approach with tone-fidelity. The translator must catch the tone of the original and be able to enable the tone-fidelity when
translating. Herder’s folk song collections are regarded as one of his great translations. An important part of them is the
translation practices of Shakespeare’s plays. Through the translation with faithfulness to the tone, Herder tries to enrich the
German language and literature, which is why he is regarded as a brilliant innovator and initiator of literary translation.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Herder’s theory of translation
- 2.1Translation with tone-fidelity
- 2.2Enrichment through translation
- 2.3Role of a translator
- 3.Herder’s practices of his translation theory
- 3.1Herder’s translations of Shakespeare in the folk song collections
- 3.2Tone-fidelity in translation samples of Shakespeare’s plays
- 3.2.1
Macbeth
- 3.2.2
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- 3.2.3
As You Like It
- 3.2.4
Cymbeline
- 4.Conclusion
- Notes
-
References