Question: Don Quixote translations

Written by Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), Spanish novelist, playwright, and poet, the most celebrated figure in Spanish literature. After studying in Madrid, he joined the Italian infantry, fought the Turks at Lepanto, and was captured with his brother, and sold into slavery in Algiers for five years. Back in Spain, his chronic financial problems and tangled affairs led to brushes with the law and brief imprisonment. While in tedious civil-service employment, he wrote the pastoral romance "La galatea" (1585) and plays, poetry, and short stories, to small success. His great creation "Don Quixote" (1605, 1615) brought immediate success and literary eminence, if not riches. It parodies chivalric romances of the day with the comic adventures of a bemused elderly knight who sets out on his old horse, Rosinante, and his pragmatic squire, Sancho Panza. Consider the first and one of the greatest of all novels, it has influenced many writers and inspired numerous creations in other genres and media.

Divided by two parts, the second is one of the earliest (if not the) examples of self reference as the characters themselves have read the first part. And one of the (if not the) earliest examples of characters speaking directly to the reader.

I am researching which translation of Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote" to read.

Earlier ones such as Walter Starkie, Samuel Putnam, or J.M. Cohen?

Or the latest ones that are more contemporary and greater vernacular like Edith Grossman, Burton Raffel, or John Rutherford?

Chapter samples below are provided by Barnes & Noble online.

Walter Starkie translation (Unabridged)

John Rutherford translation

E. C. Riley translation

Edith Grossman translation

If you read one sample chapter, I'd probably suggest Starkie's. But for comparitive reasons I'd probably suggest Starkie's and Grossman's. (The links are all the first chapter of the first part.)

 

I can't remember which translation I read, which is hellishly useful.

Grossman's is the widest read, I think.

There is a new one by Burton Ruffel and a well-respected one by Tobias Smollett.

 

I liked the Starkie one. Then again, I've read the original, so Starkie's interpretation is very interesting.

 

Oh, I wish I could read the original Spanish version.

I have been heavy in research and have finalized three translations.

Samuel Putnam was a top consideration however he embellishes the text abit much.

It has come down to J.M. Cohen, Walter Starkie, and John Rutherford.

But Starkie has a slight Irish flavour whileas Rutherford has a slight British flavour ("Bloody Hell").

It is Starkie's translation in the above links that made me laugh harder than the rest, so me thinks he is capturing the proper resonance I suppose Cervantes desired.

 

Settled.

The Walter Starkie translation it is, and probably have the Rutherford or Putnam translation as a companion if I desire a second go-around.

After reading online excerpts of the J.M. Cohen version and having been described as a mellifluous translation is eliminated this as a choice.

 

I'm sure that Rogue and Nemesis would both have some imput on this question, too. I'm PM Rogue; unfortunately, Nemesis is on a trip to Australia at present.

 

Thank you, I look forward to any light they can shed on the subject.

Here is a site with brief samplings of textual comparison of some english translations.

 

Damn. Rogue says he hasn't read it.

 

I ordered the Walter Starkie translation (the unabridged version of course as both variants are offered in this translation) due to arrive Wednesday.

All of them have their flaws but Starkie's really resonates with me. Putnam is wordier and maybe alittle too put-off classic and testy with the archaisms or that might be most rewarding.

Rutherford I esteem quite high but currently seems a duller translation.

 

Here is an interesting list of translators from wiki.

Though I am no scholar for sure but I am under the impression every english translation preceding Putnam's basically reached it's zenith with his 1949 translation. Some of the earliest translations have a spotty and dubious history.