Poetry is indeed a beautiful piece of literary art whose message can transcend through time; however, it is also one of the most difficult forms of writing to translate. Poetry can speak to the soul if one fully understands what it means. For someone who took a job translating poetry, here are a few tips that will help him explain a poem’s every verse while retaining its lyrical nature.

Read the piece repeatedly. Poetry is often a complex form of writing that has to be read over and over again to get its message. It would be impossible to translate poetry if it was only read once. When reading, a translator must read the piece forward and backwards; he should also focus on other elements like the tempo of every verse, repetition and techniques unique to the writer. Reading poetry aloud will help a translator hear facets of the words or phrases that was not noticed at first.

Get to know the poet. Of course, it would greatly help if the translator gets to meet the poet. Knowing what the poet was thinking and feeling during the composition will provide insights into the meaning of his work. One can also ask his influences and inspiration for writing. Translating difficult parts of the poem will be a lot easier if the translator and poet have an open communication.

Spend time. Translation poetry takes more than just a few minutes; it is often done in hours, or even days. Whether a translator uses translation computer software or a plain language dictionary, he must relay the complete message of the poetry while maintaining its aesthetic appeal.

After translating, a translator should take a breather first. He can take a week-long vacation or spend time with his family. Taking a break will a help a translator gain a fresh pair of eyes and an objective point of view.