I have the Prose Edda, and want to get the Poetic Edda. I saw there a couple of translations, some with better translations than others. I read that the Lee M. Hollander version is "challenging". There is the Olive Bray and Wolf Wickham version, and several others. I'm new at this, so I guess I need one that's middle ground... not too challenging, but not dumbed-down.
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Which translation of the Poetic Edda is a good one?
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Sr. Member
- Apr 2013
- 463
- If you want to know, ask.
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- Well I'm not in Kansas anymore.
- Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less travelled by. Now where in Hades am I?
Re: Which translation of the Poetic Edda is a good one?
I don't own an English translation - only a Norwegian one with the original verses in it and one in Danish - so I can't give specific recommendations, but as a general recommendation I would say get more than one if you can afford it.
The problem with translations are that they're well... translations. When you translate into a different language such as translating something in old Icelandic into modern English you face the problem that some of the words you want to translate simply don't exist so you have to find an approximation, but even the best approximation won't cover all the meanings of the original word. That's why you'll find different translation of the same text, because different translators find different aspects of the same word important.Warning: The above post may contain traces of sarcasm.
An apostrophe is the difference between a business that knows its shit, and a business that knows it's shit.
"Why is every object we don't understand always called a thing?" (McCoy. Star Trek: The Moive Picture)
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Re: Which translation of the Poetic Edda is a good one?
Here are a few, free to download:
I often wish that I had done drugs in the '70s. At least there'd be a reason for the flashbacks. - Rick the Runesinger
Blood and Country
Tribe of my Tribe
Clan of my Clan
Kin of my Kin
Blood of my Blood
For the Yule was upon them, the Yule; and they quaffed from the skulls of the slain,
And shouted loud oaths in hoarse wit, and long quaffing swore laughing again.
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Opinionated
- Jun 2013
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Re: Which translation of the Poetic Edda is a good one?
Personally I like my Henry Bellows translation (which is possibly the one Rick has linked to, as it's usually the one that's available free online). Olive Bray's translation has an impeccable reputation, and is next on my list. I've heard mixed things about the Hollander and Larrington versions.
But the reality is, that they are all translations, and unless you can find one in Old Norse (some of the Olive Bray ones have original Old Norse, which is the version on my wishlist), they are all going to be imperfect. Having more than one translation is the preferred option, but even then remember that not of them are 100% true to the original Old Norse. And even then, 'the original Old Norse' was put together from bits and pieces from several different manuscripts, some of which directly contradict each other, and all of which were recorded by people who lived long after the original stories stopped being common knowledge. I think we tend to get all excited about finding 'the right' translation... which is a little silly, when you think about it. None of them are The One True Translation. So have a look at different versions and pick the one that sings to you. Then when you can afford it, get a few more and compare.
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I think Bellows makes for nicer reading, but Bray can be easier to 'dicipher'.
I think it's a bit like comparing KJV and NIV though...ThorSon's milkshake brings all the PF girls to the yard - Volcaniclastic
RIP
I have never been across the way
Seen the desert and the birds
You cut your hair short
Like a shush to an insult
The world had been yelling
Since the day you were born
Revolting with anger
While it smiled like it was cute
That everything was shit.
- J. Wylder
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Re: Which translation of the Poetic Edda is a good one?
Thanks.
Originally posted by Rae'ya View PostPersonally I like my Henry Bellows translation (which is possibly the one Rick has linked to, as it's usually the one that's available free online). Olive Bray's translation has an impeccable reputation, and is next on my list. I've heard mixed things about the Hollander and Larrington versions. ...
None of them are The One True Translation. So have a look at different versions and pick the one that sings to you. Then when you can afford it, get a few more and compare.
Originally posted by Heka View PostI think Bellows makes for nicer reading, but Bray can be easier to 'dicipher'.
I think it's a bit like comparing KJV and NIV though...
I have the Bray version in my B&N wishlist, I'll look for the Bellows also. They may be a good start.śivāya vishnu rūpaya śivaḥ rūpaya vishnave
śivasya hridayam viṣṇur viṣṇoscha hridayam śivaḥ
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Yeah I gots itThorSon's milkshake brings all the PF girls to the yard - Volcaniclastic
RIP
I have never been across the way
Seen the desert and the birds
You cut your hair short
Like a shush to an insult
The world had been yelling
Since the day you were born
Revolting with anger
While it smiled like it was cute
That everything was shit.
- J. Wylder
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Re: Which translation of the Poetic Edda is a good one?
Originally posted by Odahviing View PostQuick work there man.śivāya vishnu rūpaya śivaḥ rūpaya vishnave
śivasya hridayam viṣṇur viṣṇoscha hridayam śivaḥ
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