Der Übersetzer und ‚sein’ Dichter? Anmerkungen zum imperialen Übersetzen am Beispiel von Zbigniew Herberts Herr Cogito
Zbigniew Herbert’s “Pan Cogito” in German. Remarks on imperial translation

Summary/Abstract: This short analysis of Karl Dedecius’s work, especially of his translations, and German-language edition of Zbigniew Herbert’s Cogito-poems focuses on aspects of literary translation that might be described as imperial – like the claim of totality and monumentality (manifesting itself e.g. in multi-volume anthologies or in the founding of institutions) or a “freehand” approach to the source-language material relying on the translator’s interpretation and its intended effects in the target culture. The correspondence between Dedecius und Herbert shows that such translational attitude from the poet’s point of view does not necessarily have to be disadvantageous, but under certain circumstances can lead to tensions between the poet and the translator.

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