Problemi, prove, progressi e compromessi: tu chiamale, se vuoi, traduzioni…

The author, who translated the Aeneid (2012) and Catullus (2018) for the Turin-based publisher Einaudi, in the first part of the article traces the main problems he encountered in the course of producing these works. In particular, he examines the choice of a rhythmic metric classified as “barbaric”, translation constants (iteration of significant words or authentic “formulas”), as well as specific lexical problems, such as the translation of compounds and diminutives. In the second part, he discusses whether or not it is appropriate to include in translations of ancient texts allusions to very prominent texts (e.g. Dante’s Commedia) from later periods, and concludes by examining some problematic passages of Petronius’ Satyricon, proposing idiosyncratic translations devised – as one might say – “outside the box”.