The Issue of Interpretation of Robert Frost's Poem “The Road Not Taken” and Its Georgian Translations

Abstract

Correct interpretation of a text is an essential prerequisite for producing an adequate translation. It is considered the initial stage of translation by translation theorists, including Eugene Nida, Jiří Levý, Peter Newmark, Juliane House, Lawrence Venuti, Dali Panjikidze, and others.

Unfortunately, cases of incorrect text interpretation are frequent, which, along with other factors, are conditioned by an individual’s intellect, values, expectations, and assumptions. In this regard, Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” is of particular interest. It describes the difficulty and significance of choice. The poem, at first glance, is simple and straightforward; it is written in plain language, but despite this, it provides grounds for ambiguity: on the one hand, the author has woven into it subtle irony and a philosophical approach to life and human nature; on the other hand, the poem's final lines have been perceived by many literally, as a hymn dedicated to independent thinking and the fight against conformism.

The article examines the translations of Frost’s poem by five Georgian translators – Karda Kardukhi, Nino Darbaiseli, Gigi Tevzadze, Kote Kubaneishvili, and Medea Zaalishvili – and analyzes them from the perspective of text interpretation. The author's own translation is also offered.