'In the empty valleys, few come home'

[flemmings]

Mountain Travel by Du Mu

遠上寒山石徑斜     Far away on the cold mountain, a stone path slants upwards,
白雲生處有人家     In the white clouds is a village, where people have their homes
停車坐愛楓林晚     I stop the carriage, loving the maple wood in the evening
霜葉紅於二月花     The frosted leaves are redder than the second month's flowers

And here is a sung version with visuals.

(Google was adamant that I wanted Du Fu, but grudgingly gave me a few links to the right poet.)

Shall also quote an anonymous commenter: "Someone likened translation to a French woman. If she is beautiful then she cannot be faithful. If she is faithful, then she cannot be beautiful." Discuss.

Comments

[i-am-zan.livejournal.com]

I don't think I have any authority to discuss this. As I've not had the pleasure/displeasure(?) of being in a relationship with a French woman. I do know that they are quite beautiful though. ^_^

As to translations(whether it's scanlations/translations of manga and songs or those translated books in the library). I think I've been lucky to happen upon those that have made me pleased. I would like to think that for the most part they have been faithful to what the authors want to convey of the story, through language, the feel and the nuances. Something like the subtleties of word choice in one language isn't always entirely translatable into another but I'm willing to forgive it because someone has enabled me to enjoy words I would not otherwise be able to partake.