Translating, particularly of poetry, is a tricky business. Even when translating prose, one can easily run afoul of the author’s meaning, especially if there are aphorisms involved. The temptation is to translate literally, word for word. In this process, however, one may play havoc with the author’s intent. It is, in my view, much better to seek to give expression to the thought that the author intended to convey.

Years ago I came across an example of how literalism can lead to disaster. I was reading a book about Grundtvig by a man of whom I had never heard, either before or since. In the course of the book he presented a translation of one of Grundtvig’s hymns. Whether he did not know of existing translations or preferred to do it himself, I can’t say. In any case he sought to translate the line, Bo lavere hos os, du højbårne gæst, det huger dig best. To my knowledge, the stanza with that line has not been translated, but the author, Grundtvig, is, in effect saying, Come, dwell among us, thou high born guest, that pleases, or fits, you best. Our author, however, translated it this way: "Sit lower down with us, thou high born guest, to squat is best." To be sure, hug, as in sidde på hug, does mean to squat, but in the context in which it is found, such a translation is ludicrous. Hug may also mean pleases., as in it pleases me. I have often thought someone reading that passage would be justified in wondering what kind of a nut Grundtvig was to write such nonsense.

I have found prose translating, of which I have done a considerable amount, both challenging and a learning experience. As for poetry or song I have had only one major experience and that took a very long time. In fact, over a period of years I revised and revised again until I felt reasonably satisfied with it. ( A World of Song, #238) However, I have long since decided that sort of translating is not my cup of tea.

Aside from the works of Johannes Knudsen, neither the translations, nor the names of the translators, are familiar to me. For whatever reason the translations with which most descendants of Danes are familiar were not used. Certainly the translations in the old Hymnal for Church and Home, as well as those in A World of Song, were available long before 1978. I prefer to think that the existing translations were not known to the committee compiling the 1978 book. If, however, they chose newer translations, thinking they were better, I can only wonder at their capacity for self deception.