Reflection on the translation and musicalisation of Latin poetry into Basque bertsos

Abstract

This article examines a translation session focused on adapting metered
poetry from world literature into Basque bertsos. Selected works by Virgil, Ovid,
Martial, and Seneca were adapted to the contemporary metrics of the Basque
oral traditions bertsolaritza and pastorala, and the six translated poems were also
represented musically, with varied melodies and metrics. The article explores
the translation strategies employed during this process, situating them within
broader translation theories, and reflects on the challenges of adapting poetry to
the distinct metrics of these oral traditions. Additionally, it analyses the influence
of the melodies assigned to the target texts on the translation process, highlighting
their significance in shaping reflections on the Basque translation of
metered poetry into metrics of literary tradition.