The Extent to Which Baranczak and Cavanagh’s Translation of Szymborska’s “The End and the Beginning” is More Successful Than Trzeciak’s Translation of the Poem Szymborska’s poem “The End and the Beginning” speaks to the cyclic nature of wars: as soon as one war ends, another begins. Szymborska proposes that this cycle occurs because humans do not take responsibility for or learn from the causes of war. This poem has been translated from Polish to English by both Joanna Trzeciak and the duo of Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh. The two translations convey similar themes, and therefore contain similar elements that are essential to the meaning of the poem, such as repeated use of “someone” at the beginning of a line or a stanza.
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Trzeciak creates a somber, serious tone toward war though elevated diction and formal syntax. She uses words such as “mired” (9) and “ragged” (24) to describe the aftermath of war. These words are more complex and formal than words used in everyday conversation. Trzeciak’s syntax is also formal. For example, line 42 reads “In the grass which has overgrown.” The phrase “which has” is not a natural, conversational phrase. Instead, this syntax is reminiscent of syntax found in a formal setting. The formal diction and syntax creates a serious tone. In addition, the language is severe and negative. Trzeciak uses phrases such as “unsevered head” (29), which has a morbid connotation. The dark connotation of the diction creates a negative tone toward war. Trzeciak’s choices regarding language and syntax create a somber tone, which aligns with the seriousness of war. This suggests that it is appropriate to have a serious attitude regarding war. In contrast, Baranczak and Cavanagh use casual language to create a light tone toward war in their translation. They use simple, conversational phrases to describe the aftermath of war such as “dig up” (34) and “who’ll find all that” (31). Both of these phrases would be found in an informal setting, which demonstrates the casual style of language in the poem. The use of …show more content…
The light tone toward war in their translation reflects the flippant attitude of humans toward war, and helps the reader understand that this attitude causes the cyclical nature of war. Baranczak and Cavanagh’s use of forceful verbs to create graphic, negative imagery regarding war helps demonstrate Szymborska’s negative sentiments toward war. These factors allow Baranczak and Cavanagh’s translation of “The End and the Beginning” to precisely establish Szymborska’s theme that wars occur continuously because humans refuse to accept responsibility for their
Trzeciak creates a somber, serious tone toward war though elevated diction and formal syntax. She uses words such as “mired” (9) and “ragged” (24) to describe the aftermath of war. These words are more complex and formal than words used in everyday conversation. Trzeciak’s syntax is also formal. For example, line 42 reads “In the grass which has overgrown.” The phrase “which has” is not a natural, conversational phrase. Instead, this syntax is reminiscent of syntax found in a formal setting. The formal diction and syntax creates a serious tone. In addition, the language is severe and negative. Trzeciak uses phrases such as “unsevered head” (29), which has a morbid connotation. The dark connotation of the diction creates a negative tone toward war. Trzeciak’s choices regarding language and syntax create a somber tone, which aligns with the seriousness of war. This suggests that it is appropriate to have a serious attitude regarding war. In contrast, Baranczak and Cavanagh use casual language to create a light tone toward war in their translation. They use simple, conversational phrases to describe the aftermath of war such as “dig up” (34) and “who’ll find all that” (31). Both of these phrases would be found in an informal setting, which demonstrates the casual style of language in the poem. The use of …show more content…
The light tone toward war in their translation reflects the flippant attitude of humans toward war, and helps the reader understand that this attitude causes the cyclical nature of war. Baranczak and Cavanagh’s use of forceful verbs to create graphic, negative imagery regarding war helps demonstrate Szymborska’s negative sentiments toward war. These factors allow Baranczak and Cavanagh’s translation of “The End and the Beginning” to precisely establish Szymborska’s theme that wars occur continuously because humans refuse to accept responsibility for their