¿A quién le pertenece lo terreno?

Abstract

Taking advantage of certain quotations from Friedrich, Goethe, Huetius, Pacheco, Reyes, and Schlegel, among others, this short essay intends to examine several important aspects of translation theory, such as: how can we approach the text to the reader or, otherwise, how can we approach the reader to the text? Which circumstances underlie the “life time” of a translation? How can we conciliate the confrontation of two cultures, especially those separated in time? Can we accept translations deriving from an intermediate language? Is translation a simple reaction of one writer to the work of another writer? The author of this essay answers mainly from his experience as a translator.