While translating Erika Eckart’s prose poem, Knuckles (Los Nudillos), I experienced several difficulties as I attempted to match the original intention and tone of her piece. I had originally wanted to do a literal or direct translation, however, I soon realized that was not the best way to keep the story true to the author’s original intention. For example, Eckart uses the word ‘renderer,’ to describe the person who would need to break the horse’s legs had rigor mortis set in; I had originally intended to do ‘renderizador’ as the most direct translation applicable, however, this refers to someone rendering computer graphics, which doesn’t fit in this context. Therefore, I had to focus on the finality the reader feels with Eckart’s ‘renderer,’ and have attempted to match the emotion that this word carries into Spanish with ‘verdugo,’ which literally translates to executioner. I did this to match the finality that comes with Eckart’s original word. Throughout my revisions and conversations with my Translator Reviewers (Dr. Olga Sigüenza Ponce and Dr. Claudia Villegas-Silva), I began to realize that I wouldn’t be able to do a literal or direct translation of the entirety of Eckart’s piece. However, I was still able to directly translate at times so that I could keep the story as true to the original as possible.
About the Translator:
Matthew Coffman majored in English Literature at ASU and graduated in the Spring of 2022. He is now on his way to England to continue his study of literature at the University of Birmingham with an MA in Literature and Culture. Matt was born in Chicago and has lived in six different states since then. He is an avid reader and writer, as well as a fan of soccer and Formula 1.
Translations:
"Knuckles" by Erika Eckart (Spanish)
With grateful acknowledgment to translation reviewers: Claudia Villegas-Silva & Olga Siguenza-Ponce