QUOTE]Originally posted by asj:
something does not click in "heart of the gaze" as this does not make any sense.
.[/QUOTE]
I would like you to reread the stanza I copied in my original post illustrating the reversal of a concept. dil ki nazar and nazar ka dil are so different.
Lynn once wrote to me questioning someone's translation of the following couplet sung by Rafi sahib:
Bahut Shukriya Badi Meherbaani,
Meri Zindagi Mein Huzur Aap Aaye,
Kadam Chumlun Yaa, Ke Aankhen Bichadun,
Karun Kya Yeh Meri, Samaj Mein Na Aaye,
the bold line was translated something like:
shall I kiss your steps or spread my eyes
the literal translation presented such a strange scenario that Lynn felt something was wrong there. In urdu/hindi it sounds ok but translate it and be prepared to scratch your head.
Some things just can't be translated if you are totally foreign to the language. This is not the case here, I like to think. Your reservations about your audience's perceptions might perhaps be valid and then again you might be on a wrong tack. I personally wouldn't sell your audience short.
It's been most rewarding to do these translations for GNI but as I explained in my em a few days back I find myself buried under my workload and conscious of the delays I have already caused to this thread, I must beg to be excused. The baton can be passed to some of the very talented members of your excellent community.
My best wishes to you all.