2026-01-25 06:25:32 by akprasad
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<p lang="sa">TRANSLATOR''S PREFACE
</p>
<p lang="sa">In translating a Sanskrit work into English, we find
that the earlier the age of the work to be translated, the
easier is the labour of the translator, partly because
earlier Sanskrit idiom has often a very great resemblance
to English idiom and partly because of the simplicity of
style in the older works. But, as centuries passed by,
the purer Sanskrit idiom was gradually replaced by the
prevalent idiom of non-Aryan languages, and the introduc-
tion of unfamiliar imagery made the translator'
tion of unfamiliar imagery made the translator's work
still more difficult; and the gulf became so wide that a
free translation in vigorous living English idiom made
the work appear altogether a different one from the
original. Hence it is that I have been obliged to choose
a midway path in iny attempt. The result has not been
quite happy, as I myself see; the movement of the
language has become clumsy; and it has often been
necessary to insert corrective or explanatory words or
phrases to make the production fairly intelligible. There
is a vague dissatisfaction left in my mind, perhaps due to
a recogntion of my want of courage that has prevented
me from breaking away from the cramping elements in
my style. With this explanatory apology, I present my
attempt to the reader.
</p>
</page>
<p lang="sa">TRANSLATOR
<p lang="sa">In translating a Sanskrit work into English, we find
that the earlier the age of the work to be translated, the
easier is the labour of the translator, partly because
earlier Sanskrit idiom has often a very great resemblance
to English idiom and partly because of the simplicity of
style in the older works. But, as centuries passed by,
the purer Sanskrit idiom was gradually replaced by the
prevalent idiom of non-Aryan languages, and the introduc-
tion of unfamiliar imagery made the translator'
tion of unfamiliar imagery made the translator's work
still more difficult; and the gulf became so wide that a
free translation in vigorous living English idiom made
the work appear altogether a different one from the
original. Hence it is that I have been obliged to choose
a midway path in iny attempt. The result has not been
quite happy, as I myself see; the movement of the
language has become clumsy; and it has often been
necessary to insert corrective or explanatory words or
phrases to make the production fairly intelligible. There
is a vague dissatisfaction left in my mind, perhaps due to
a recogntion of my want of courage that has prevented
me from breaking away from the cramping elements in
my style. With this explanatory apology, I present my
attempt to the reader.
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