Well I have him in Italian,' said the barber, 'but I don't understand it.' 'There's no reason you should,' replied the priest, 'and here we would pardon the captain if he had not brought to Spain and translated it into Castillian, for he took away a good deal of its original value, which is what all who attempt to translate books of poetry into another language will do as well: no matter the care they use and the skill they show, they will never achieve the quality the verses had in their first birth…
In this excerpt from "Don Quixote," a barber discusses an Italian book he possesses but cannot understand, highlighting the challenges of translation. The priest emphasizes that while translations can make works accessible, they often lose the essence and beauty of the original language, particularly in poetry. This reflects the inherent difficulties in preserving the nuance and artistry of literary works when rendered into another tongue.
The priest's comments point to a broader theme concerning the nature of art and fidelity. No matter how skilled a translator may be, they cannot completely capture the original's charm and depth, which diminishes its value. This notion underscores the significance of language and its role in shaping artistic expression, suggesting that some things are better appreciated in their original form.
