thoughts
Translation as an act of violence against the original. This idea was first introduced to me by R. F. Kuang with Babel, or the Necessity of Violence. By reading the newer translation (and forward) for The Count of Monte Cristo, I realized that a lot of things are omitted in the old translation, and became aware of the power of translation first-hand. It is crucial in maintaining the author’s message and intent; translators hold an immense amount of power.
The Odyssey’s translation by Emily Wilson is easy to read, but I think it might be omitting some of the beautiful (but complex) imagery that is very prominent in The Iliad. It simplifies for the purpose of readability, while it seems that The Iliad maintains complexity for the purpose of art and intricate images.
other wordings
Translation is like looking at a tapestry from the back.