El metro en las traducciones de los clásicos latinos al euskara: I. metros dactílicos y yambo-trocaicos

Abstract

The adaptation of classical metres to Basque is analysed in this article, which takes as its points of reference the theories of James S. Holmes and Viktor Kochol. The analysis of the data specified at the beginning of the essay is set out according to the metres used in the original texts. So, one chapter is devoted to the hexametre, another to the elegiac couplet, a third to the iambic metres and the last to Aeolian metre.
This study of metrical adaptation shows the factors that determine the choice of a particular metre for the translation of anyone poem, as well as the implications of this choice. The translator's attitude towards Classical Literature and the Basque literary tradition, together with the function within this tradition that is ascribed to the translation, are clearly reflected in the metre selected. Among the translators whose works are scrutinised in this study, we may single out for mention here Agustin P. 1turriaga, Nicolds Ormaechea «Orixe», and Joaquin Zaitegui.
Some of the conclusions obtained from the analysis of Basque texts call into question certain aspects of the theories of the aforementioned scholars.