Stylistic Devices of Poetic Translation (Based on the Examples of Elizabeth Barrett Browning Sonnets)

Abstract

Relevance. The article offers a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the stylistic devices employed in poetic translation, drawing on the sonnets of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a prominent representative of Victorian English poetry and the celebrated author of the renowned cycle “Sonnets from the Portuguese”. The relevance of the study is determined by the intrinsic complexity of translating poetic texts, in which content and form function as an inseparable unity, while the overall aesthetic effect emerges from the intricate interplay of rhythm, rhyme, metaphorical imagery, syntactic variation, and emotional intensity. Such features make poetic translation a particularly demanding field that requires not only linguistic competence but also a high degree of artistic sensitivity. Purpose. The aim of the article is to identify, classify, and systematize the stylistic devices present in Ukrainian translations of E. B. Browning’s sonnets, as well as to determine the translation strategies that enable the preservation of the author’s unique poetic voice and individual style. Objectives. To achieve this objective, the study first examines the theoretical foundations of poetic translation, drawing on contemporary translation studies and classical approaches. It further outlines the principal challenges faced by translators, including lexical difficulties, literary-aesthetic constraints, and sociocultural differences that may influence the interpretation of the source text. In addition, the article characterizes the main approaches to poetic translation, such as literal translation, free adaptation, and interpretative rendering, highlighting their advantages and limitations in relation to poetic discourse. Results. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of various translation techniques and particular attention is devoted to lexical and stylistic transformations, especially in cases where direct equivalents are insufficient to convey the original meaning or emotional nuance. For instance, instead of a literal translation of the lexeme “giver”, the translator opts for an expanded metaphorical construction, “the unspeakable gifts of your heart,” which enhances the expressive and emotional depth of the translated text. Furthermore, the study explores the methods used to preserve the rhythmic and melodic organization of the poems, including the reproduction of meter, rhyme schemes, and sound patterns. It also examines how translators render the imagery system and maintain the intonational structure of the poetic text, which plays a crucial role in conveying the author’s emotional and aesthetic intentions. The findings of the research indicate that the adequacy of poetic translation is achieved through a balanced combination of rhymed and metrical equivalence with elements of interpretation, compensation, and semantic expansion. Conclusions. The study ultimately demonstrates that poetic translation is not merely a process of linguistic transfer but a creative act of co-interpretation, in which the translator assumes the role of a co-creator of literary work. Preserving the emotional depth, stylistic originality, and expressive richness of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poetry thus requires a harmonious synthesis of semantic precision and poetic craftsmanship, ensuring that the translated text retains both its artistic integrity and its communicative power.