APPLICATIONS OF COMPENSATION THEORY IN
APPLICATIONS OF COMPENSATION THEORY IN

Summary/Abstract: Is poetry really translatable? Opinions vary on this subject. Some contemporary researchers argue that poetry is a non-translatable genre, while others come with different solutions to support translation in this field. Some of these methods fall under the theory of compensation, a very controversial theory that allows translators certain freedoms of expression, on the assumption that what cannot be translated precisely into another language, can be translated otherwise or in another context, in order to maintain the stilistical effect intended by the author. In this paper, by applying compensation theory on certain translations of Yesenin’s poems in three languages (Rumanian, English and German) we intend to establish a few precise methods, usable in translation activity, and also to discuss the limits allowed to the translator, so that s/he may not overstep his/her boundaries and be characterised by the famous expression “traduttore tradittore”; everything is illustrated with concrete examples

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