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The word "esparto" used in English always reminds me of an essay I wrote once comparing three different English translations of Federico García Lorca's Bodas de sangre (translated as Blood Wedding). In this wonderful dark story of love and fate, the Bride lives on a barren, desolate plain, where esparto (Spanish "esparto", used as a tough fiber for weaving) is the only crop that can be grown. Faced with a potential cultural gap, the different translators approached it in very different ways.
One of them used (English) "esparto", braving a possible lack of familiarity on the part of the English-language readers. Another one changed the reference over to (English) "alfalfa", though this translation overlooked the connotations of aridity for the Bride's lands, and the Bride's existence. But the third one translated "esparto" as "hemp"! There are apparently two different forms of hemp, one which yields a tough fiber, and another one which is used to produce the opiate marijuana. I am certain the translator had the first one in mind when producing his/her version, but depending on which form is more familiar to the reader, the image of the Bride's plentiful hemp harvest certainly transforms the story!
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted Esparto Jackie 01/29/01 03:25 AM -issimo, -issima emanuela 01/29/01 08:43 AM Re: Esparto (personal anecdote) Marianna 01/29/01 10:50 AM marijuana, hemp, opiates Alex Williams 01/29/01 12:19 PM Re: Esparto (personal anecdote) wsieber 01/29/01 12:21 PM Re: Esparto (personal anecdote) Faldage 01/29/01 03:04 PM Re: Esparto (personal anecdote) wow 01/29/01 03:44 PM Re: Heavens to Betsy! AnnaStrophic 01/29/01 07:54 PM Re: Esparto AnnaStrophic 01/29/01 07:58 PM translations and footnotes emanuela 01/30/01 06:12 AM Re: translations and footnotes maverick 01/30/01 12:39 PM Re: Heavens to Betsy Sparteye 01/30/01 01:22 PM Re: Heavens to Betsy Geoff 01/31/01 03:08 PM Re: Heavens to Betsy AnnaStrophic 02/02/01 03:32 PM
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