Echoes of Paradise: Analysing 21st century renderings of sound in Paradiso 30

The article compares the outcomes of 21st century English translations of Dante's Divine Comedy, specifically in terms of sound, by analysing the interplay of macro and micro choices made by translators. How is the sound of Paradiso 30 rendered into English as determined by the macro and micro choices in 21st century translations? Defining a corpus of five translations of Paradiso 30, each chosen for its unique English variant and distinct translation strategy, the analysis closely examines each translator’s macro and micro choices within the context of translator’s notes and introductions. This approach evinces how translators navigate the challenges of the original text with the nuances of the target language, especially in terms of sound. The results reveal a diverse range of translation losses and compensations, determined by the translator’s approach and the limitations of the English language. Overall, this research analyses the intricate choices translators make to convey sound, particularly when translating literary classics. The diversity of translation outcomes highlights the enduring appeal of Dante’s work and the continued exploration of its nuances by contemporary translators.