A Maltese translation of twelve sonnets by William Shakespeare

Abstract

In the absence of a tradition of translations of Shakespeare's Sonnets into Maltese I myself embarked on the task and am here presenting a collection of twelve. I have translated them in 2008, following the invitation to participate in this commemorative project. It is therefore appropriate on my part to briefly describe the method and criteria characterizing such an exercise. A major consideration has been made as a starting point. Shakespeare's Sonnets have survived the test of time not only because they have great thematic and technical merits but also because they are essentially simple, clear and easily understandable by all. His genius lies mainly in his unique ability to express profound existential concepts in a language which, however distinct, is basically a sublime reconstruction of popular discourse. In spite of historically belonging to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the sonnets are written in a sort of English which to date is equally ancient and fresh, as if produced only a few decades ago. The average reader may enjoy all the hundred and fifty-four sonnets with rarely having to delve into a dictionary to search for meaning and clarity. The literary character of the era is also a secure point of reference no translator can miss or somehow underestimate.