Portuguese Translation in Poetry with Fernando Pessoa

"I am beginning to know myself. I do not exist. I am the gap between what I would like to be and what others have made of me. That is me, period."

This quote by Fernando Pessoa highlights his complex relationship with identity and literature. He was an influential poet, writer, and literary critic who significantly shaped the Portuguese language. His professional background also included work as a translator, publisher, and philosopher.

Portuguese Translation and the Work of Fernando Pessoa

Pessoa is considered the center of Portuguese modernism. His creative reach extended far beyond poetry into philosophy, sociology, and history. He frequently stored his original writings as loose pages in a legendary trunk. This collection grew to include plays, short stories, and even a treatise on astrology.

The Invention of Heteronyms

Pessoa often published his work under different names. He called these figures heteronyms rather than pseudonyms. This was a specific choice to distinguish himself as an eccentric artist. These personas allowed him to explore multiple literary styles and perspectives.

Each heteronym possessed a unique history, biography, and personal characteristics. They were not simple aliases but entirely distinct creative individuals. Over his lifetime, Pessoa created and wrote under 75 of these figures. Some were known for holding extremist or unpopular views.

A Professional Path in Translation

Professional translation served as a consistent occupation for Pessoa. He worked fluently with English, French, and Portuguese. This linguistic skill allowed him to bring famous global titles to a wider audience. His work bridged the gap between different cultures and literary traditions.

Literary Classics in Translation

His portfolio included several canonical works from American and British literature. He translated The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne into Portuguese. He also handled short stories by O. Henry, such as "The Roads We Take" and "Georgia’s Ruling." These projects demonstrated his ability to manage complex narrative structures.

Poetry and Prose Selections

Pessoa applied his skills to a diverse range of poetic themes. He translated poems by Alfred Tennyson, William Wordsworth, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. His work on Edgar Allan Poe is particularly significant. He was responsible for the Portuguese versions of "The Raven," "Annabel Lee," and "Ulalume."

The Archive of the National Library

His productivity was immense and lasted throughout his entire life. After his death, a large trunk was found among his personal belongings. This trunk contained twenty-five thousand manuscript pages written in his own hand. The sheer volume of paper provides evidence of his constant drive to record his thoughts.

Every kind of paper served as a canvas for his ideas. He wrote on loose sheets, notebooks, stationery, and even the backs of envelopes. He used any scrap of paper within his reach. This trunk now resides in the National Library of Portugal as a record of his literary mastery.

Pessoa by the Numbers

Specific data points illustrate his development as a writer and linguist. These figures highlight his early life and his creative output.

• 75: The total number of heteronyms Fernando Pessoa created and used for his publications.
• 5: His age when his father died. Two years later, his family moved to Durban, South Africa, where he spent his formative years.
• 15: The age when he reached full fluency in English. That year, he won the Queen Victoria prize for an English essay out of nearly 900 entrants.

Resources for Further Study

His work continues to influence modern literature and translation. These resources provide a deeper look at his most famous writings and the process of bringing them to new audiences.

• The Guardian's review of The Book of Disquiet examines his most famous work.
• Interviews with Margaret Jull Costa offer insights into modern translations of his writing.

About This Article

Famous Translators is a MotaWord segment showcasing notable translated works and linguists. We compile stories that matter to the global translation community. You can contribute ideas or share your story by contacting info@motaword.com.

Explore other entries in the Famous Translators series:

• The Professional Translator's Experience with Dr. Seuss
• Translating the Horror Fiction of Stephen King
• The Professional Translation of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales

Citations: PoetryInTranslation, NewYorker, OxfordHandbooks, SCReview, TheBritishLibrary