Phonological translation and phonetic repertoire

This paper demonstrates some of the limits of the translation of sound effects in poetry from a purely linguistic point of view, as opposed to a literary critical one. Three examples of poetry were recorded in the original language and transcribed phonetically, as were English translations of the same works. These are compared for evidence of transfer of original sound features and of the extent to which equivalent features in the target versions have been utilized. On the basis of phonological structure and phonetic repertoire, some of the limitations of translation of sound effects are suggested. In one case two different accents are used for the English translation to highlight inherent differences between varieties of one and the same language.