For the Translation of Epithets from an Ancient Greek Epic Poetry (Homer, Apollonius)

Abstract

During the translation of ancient Greek epic texts into the Georgian language, epithet translation is of a special importance. In the texts by Homer and Apollonius of Rhodes, we find several different realities while translating the epithets into Georgian: 1. Epithets are conveyed with absolute accuracy. In such cases, the accuracy of contextual, grammatical and lexical features is fully preserved while translating an epithet; 2. Different lexical units with similar/identical semantic meaning are used to convey one epithet; 3. Epithets are conveyed by keeping the semantic side, but metaphorically - with a different lexical unit. In such cases the lexical meaning of the translated epithet is not equal to the epithet used in the original text.  4. Epithets are conveyed metaphorically, with a different lexical unit, which, is appropriate for the context but it is semantically different from the original; 5. The epithet is completely different from the original text, or added by the translator. Thus, the translator is free from rhythmic obligations when selecting the appropriate Georgian epithet.