“If I have rendered word for word, the result will be absurd; if I have followed my own judgment, there will be a departure from the original.”
Cicero’s famous remark captures the translator’s dilemma—balancing literal accuracy with the true spirit of the original text.
Read on to see how Cicero’s approach still shapes translation today.
Cicero’s Life and Influence: A Man of Words and Power
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC) was not just a translator. He lived during a turbulent time in Rome and became known for:
- Eloquent Speeches: His oratory swayed public opinion and remains a model of rhetorical skill.
- Philosophical Thought: He contributed deeply to ethics and political theory.
- Translation as Art: For Cicero, translation was an intellectual challenge that combined meaning with style.
Capturing the Essence, Not Just the Words
Cicero believed that translating meant more than a literal word-for-word rendering. His ideas include:
- Fidelitas: Convey the meaning, intent, and overall message—even if that means changing the exact words.
- Author’s Voice: Understand the original tone and style to accurately reflect the author’s purpose.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Adapt translations to fit the cultural context of both the source and target languages.
Crafting a Text That Flows
For Cicero, a translation should not only be accurate but also pleasing to read. His approach was:
- Elegantia: Ensure the target text is refined and natural, much like a well-delivered speech.
- Beyond Literalness: Avoid awkward, literal translations that disrupt readability.
- Balancing Act: Strive to maintain both the original’s meaning and a smooth, engaging style.
Cicero’s Approach to Translation?
He believed that a translator should strive to be an “orator” rather than a mere “interpreter,” prioritizing the overall style, force, and persuasive power of the language.
I did not translate them as an interpreter, but as an orator, keeping the same ideas and forms, or as one might say, the ‘figures’ of thought, but in language which conforms to our usage.
And in so doing, I did not hold it necessary to render word for word, but I preserved the general style and force of the language.
Although few of Cicero’s actual translations survive, his writings reveal his methods:
- Sense-for-Sense Translation: He rejected strict word-for-word copying in favor of capturing the spirit of the text.
- Adaptation: Adjust the text—altering word order and idioms—to resonate with a new audience.
- Cultural Mediation: Act as a bridge between different languages and cultures, ensuring clarity and relevance.
Cicero’s Legacy in Translation Theory
Cicero’s legacy reminds us that a great translation is one that resonates with its audience while staying true to the original message.
Cicero’s ideas laid the foundation for modern translation theory:
- Enduring Concepts: His tension between literal accuracy and elegant expression still guides translators.
- Modern Relevance: Even with AI and machine translation, his insights into meaning and style remain influential.
- A Timeless Challenge: The balance between fidelity and fluency continues to be the core challenge in translation.
Key Concepts Drawn From Cicero That Are Relevant in Translation Studies
Orator vs. Interpreter
Cicero distinguished between being an “orator” versus a mere “interpreter” carrying out a translation.
He saw an orator as someone who conveys not only the words but also the persuasive power and style of the original text. An interpreter, in contrast, would focus solely on a literal, word-for-word translation.
He believed that translating as an orator allowed the text to resonate with the audience through refined language and effective rhetoric, rather than just transferring words.
Fidelitas
“Fidelitas” means remaining faithful to the meaning, intent, and overall message of the original text.
It differs from literal translation. Instead of strictly adhering to each word, fidelitas prioritizes capturing the underlying essence and spirit of the source text, even if that requires some deviation from the exact wording.
The Role of Elegantia
“Elegantia” refers to crafting a translation that is stylistically polished, fluid, and natural in the target language. It ensures that the translated text reads smoothly and appeals aesthetically, thereby enhancing the reader’s experience while preserving the original’s impact.
Balancing Literal Accuracy With Stylistic Elegance
- Sense-for-Sense Approach: Cicero emphasized translating ideas and expressions rather than sticking to a rigid word-for-word conversion.
- Adaptation: In his translation, Cicero adjusted idioms, word order, and cultural references to ensure the translation was both accurate in meaning and engaging in style.
- Cultural Mediation: His method involved acting as a mediator between languages, blending fidelity with natural language flow.
Importance of Cultural Sensitivity
Cicero recognized that words are embedded in specific cultural settings, and a literal translation might miss these nuances.vA translator has to be culturally sensitive to they can adapt the text so that its meaning is preserved and remains relevant and understandable to a new audience.
Cicero’s Influences in Modern Translation Practices
- The balance between maintaining the original’s meaning (fidelitas) and ensuring readability and stylistic appeal (elegantia) remains a cornerstone of modern translation.
- In an era dominated by digital content and machine translation, Cicero’s emphasis on human judgment, cultural mediation, and stylistic finesse continues to guide translators in producing nuanced and effective translations.
- Today’s translators still face the challenge of bridging the gap between literal accuracy and natural language flow—a challenge that Cicero’s approach was designed to address.
“If I have rendered word for word, the result will be absurd; if I have followed my own judgment, there will be a departure from the original.”
Cicero (106–43 BC)
In Summary
Cicero’s work shows that translation is both an art and a skill.
When he advocates for focusing on conveying meaning and style rather than merely matching words, he sets the stage for centuries of debate on how best to translate texts. Anyways, his approach—balancing accuracy with natural, elegant language—remains a guiding principle for translators today.
