6 Minute English: Understanding Shakespeare
Introduction
- Originally broadcast in October 2015 on BBC Learning English website.
- Hosts: Finn and Neil.
- Topic: Shakespeare and translating his works.
Key Topics Discussed
Shakespeare's Famous Line
- Famous line: "To be or not to be, that is the question."
- Difficult to explain due to archaic and complex English.
Shakespeare Festival in Oregon
- Aim: Make Shakespeare's work more accessible.
- Approach: Commission translations of Shakespeare's plays into plain English.
- Controversial: Divides opinions on the merit of such translations.
Quiz Question
- Question: What was the first language Shakespeare's plays were translated into?
- Options:
a) French
b) German
c) Portuguese
- Hosts' Answer: b) German
Andrew Dickinson's Insights
- Author of Worlds Elsewhere: Journeys Around Shakespeare's Globe.
- Observations: Shakespeare is translated into many forms and languages globally.
- Remarkable Translation: Hamlet translated into Klingon (Star Trek language).
- Key Point: Shakespeare is "multifarious," i.e., he exists in many different forms.
The Concept of "Multifarious"
- Multifarious: Many different types/forms.
- Reflection: Shakespeare's work appears in various translations and adaptations worldwide.
Criticism of Translating Shakespeare
- Opposition: Academics and social media users criticize the idea.
Greg Doran's Perspective
- Position: Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- Production: Merchant Of Venice in Japan.
- Challenge: Translation can miss the depth of original work.
- Key Elements: Meaning, pace, and poetry in Shakespeare's language.
- Dilemma: Achieving all three aspects harmoniously in translation.
Quiz Answer
- Correct Answer: German.
- Context: Shakespeare's plays were translated into German in the early 17th century.
Conclusion
- Shakespeare's language and its translations are complex and multifaceted.
- Different perspectives on the value and challenges of translating his works into plain English.
6 Minute English from the BBC.