“Whose Play is it?” Translating Shakespeare Into English

Linguaculture

Garry Harrington¹ 

[1] Salisbury University, Maryland, USA;

关键词: translation;    adaptation;    drama;    stylistic analysis;   

DOI  :  10.47743/lincu-2010-2-0248

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The paper will look at contemporary published versions of the Shakespearean plays which purport to provide “simplified” or “modernized” readings. Gone are Shakespeare’s polysemy and heteroglossia, to be replaced by a single “meaning” of a given line which in effect goes beyond interpretation to constitute what is in effect a translation of sorts (and underscores consideration s which I think have a direct bearing on translating Shakespeare into other languages as well). This principle may best be illustrated at a close examination of two of Shakespeare’s most consistently twin-tongued characters, Prince Hal and Hamlet. My paper concludes with a short foray into 21st century “alternative” Shakespeares in English, with a particular focus upon recently emerging “rap” versions of some of the more famous passages.

【 授权许可】

Unknown