(Stellenbosch University, Department of Ancient Studies, 2006) Claassen, J-M.
This paper discusses its author’s attempt to translate into English the verse
drama Germanicus by the Afrikaans poet NP Van Wyk Louw, which is based on
Tacitus’ Annales 1-3. After a general discussion of translation theory and of
Louw’s theories relating to the classical tradition, the paper highlights, with
examples, problems encountered on the levels of prosody, of register and of
equivalence of meaning. Louw’s poetic Afrikaans is so concise that it requires
an effort to be as brief in English. “Shakespearian English”, both lexis and wordorder,
is closer to the Germanic Afrikaans, but would be unacceptable in a
modern translation. Louw’s idiosyncratic use of Afrikaans, deliberate archaisms
and occasional neologisms call for interpretative reading before these can be
translated. The paper ends with a short reference to the place of Louw’s
Germanicus in the international Classical tradition.