If This Be Magic by Daniel Hahn review

TL;DR

Jorge Luis Borges believed Shakespeare was untranslatable, even into English, due to his unique "Shakespeare-ese."
Translator Daniel Hahn argues that Shakespeare can be translated into any language, with his essence remaining even when words change.
Hahn illustrates this by showcasing translations of Shakespeare into numerous languages, suggesting that even without understanding the language, one can infer translation quality through elements like syllable count and alliteration.
The book highlights insights from translators, such as adapting Lady Macbeth's question in Māori or changing Prince Hal's name in Hungarian for better cultural resonance.
Hahn discusses general translation challenges, like the overuse of the word 'literal,' and advocates for non-literal choices when they better serve the text's impact, such as choosing a shorter, more impactful word for 'Havoc' in Portuguese.
Translating jokes often involves creating new ones to be "faithful to the laugh," and preserving elements like alliteration can sometimes be achieved through fortunate linguistic matches or by replacing idioms with equivalent ones.
The author offers a critical perspective on "translators" who produce new versions without knowing the source language.
The book ultimately celebrates the treasures of translation and the inexhaustible nature of Shakespeare's work.

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