In the world of translation there are different types of specializations. Since ancient times, translation has been utilized as a means of communication that, even today, allows for interaction between different societies around the world and breaks down economic and cultural barriers between a wide variety of languages.
This activity has enabled the creation and expansion of many others and, in turn, has contributed to the development of different societies in their entirety due to the wide variety of languages and the great need for cultural exchange. Literary translation in particular, has been one of the most important specializations since its earliest days. Through translation, literary works were able to be introduced to more modern languages and make available to the rest of the world much of all the existing classical material, such as poetry, short stories and other works representing the cultural values of a specific era.
Literary translation is distinguished from other specializations as it involves translating the entire ‘meaning‘ of the text as a whole, as the translator must understand and deepen what the writer meant to convey and aim to translate the meaning and message of the text while respecting both cultural aspects as well as the author’s style. For this reason, it is essential that the translator possess both stylistic and cultural knowledge as well as creativity.
Literary translation is an art because it involves a recreation in which the translator must immerse himself/herself and research issues and, while taking into account cultural and stylistic aspects of the author or the intended audience, be able to produce a translation that is true to the original in every way.
