By: Dr. Emile Chidiac
Translating Charbel Baini’s “Rubaiyat” {Quartets} from the original Arabic into English has been a pleasurable though complex task. This is due to the fact consideration had to be given to the exigencies of rhythm and rhyme which complicate the task of even the most straightforward of translations.
The aim of this is to introduce Charbel’s poetry to the English reader. The power of rhythm and rhyme plays an important part in Charbel’s “Rubaiyat”.
Whilst it was necessary to ensure the full meaning of the “Rubaiyat” was captured in the translation, it was equally important to convey the rhythm and rhyme to capture the complete essence of the verse.
Some verses from the original Arabic have not been translated because they deal with colloquial and regional expre4ssions. The translation would render their meanings either ambiguous or incomprehensible to the reader.
To translate from one language into the other one ought to be fluent in both languages. To translate poetry, one has to translate not only the meanings of the word, but also the feelings the poet wants to convey.
My task as a translator has been made easier by my love of writing poetry. I have, therefore, endeavoured to be as true as possible to the original text in the hope that the reader will understand Charbel’s “Rubaiyat” as the poet meant them to be understood.
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