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PaperclipPerfector  4d ago (text post)   2063 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for December 29, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

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Are you recommending this one or is the mention of Twitter beef meant to warn me off of it?

I've heard Wilson's translation is supposed to emphasize readability over poetic language, and also emphasize the grimness over the glory of war in its translation. Its focus on readability over poetic language makes it an easy target for tweets to mock it as a step down from previous translations, and a lot of right-wing twitter is very pro-glory over grimness. Plus she has been promoted as a girlboss, progressive translator, and that makes her an obvious cultural enemy.

I haven't read any translations myself, just retellings in various mediums. I don't feel a particular urge to get closer to the source material.

Neither, I haven't read any version of the Odyssey, I do follow Tyler Cowen quite closely so on his recommendation it was at the top of my list initially and now after the twitter blow up I'm leaning toward Fagles. Have you seen this side-by-side comparison?

The only thing missing from the comparison is the original Greek so we can judge who did it best.

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