Half rant, half rendition

Half rant, half rendition

From Don't You Dare To Think Out Loud! by Javier Truben

November 5, 2025 · 8 min

About this episode

The episode explores the complexities of translating Lorca's poetry and the cultural nuances involved.

What can I write about Lorca? He was not just a poet; he was also a dedicated pianist. Manuel de Falla was his mentor, and he learned from him about the profound songs known as Cante Jondo. Therefore, reading Lorca is an experience that evokes a deep sense of Duende, an ethereal quality that transcends mere poetry. Many scholars believe that translating Lorca into American English is an impossible task. However, if you dare to attempt it, I highly recommend reading this translation by Sarah Arvio while having a glass of red wine and some delicious Serrano ham. And perhaps, for a moment, you can channel the spirit of that young boy who found inspiration in music and transformed it into poetry. This voice crafter you are hearing will provide you with a full-blown rendition, taking advantage of my privileged condition as a transnational author. See, the translator thought Lorca never used commas or periods or full stops, but he certainly did. Like Emily Dickinson used dashes, including long ones, to create pauses, separate ideas, and add ambiguity to her poetry, a feature often lost in standardized printed versions but present in her manuscripts. I hope you find a suitable time to…

People in this episode

Host: Javier Truben

Topics covered

  • poetry
  • translation
  • Lorca
  • Duende
  • music
  • Spanish culture

Keywords

  • Lorca
  • translation
  • Duende
  • Cante Jondo
  • Emily Dickinson
  • poetry
  • Spanish culture

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Cante Jondo

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