Haiku Babel

Translations

when Winter streams thaw
water Falls into a Spring
filling Summer dreams

itsu fuyu kaito sutorimu
mizo taki ni naka e haru
juten natsu yume

cuondo el Invierno descongela los arryos
el agua cae en un manantial
llenando suenos de verano

quand l'hiver degele les ruisseaux
l'eau tombe daus une source
remplir les reves d'ete

koly zyma vidlyhy potoke
voda padinnya v vesna
napovnennya lito mrriyi

2022

Author's Note

I was curious and it seemed interesting enough to share. There was a big difference translating word for word versus line for line. The Japanese and Ukrainian are word for word. Spanish and French are line for line. If you speak the language I apologize if it is butchered. And would be interested in sending you a short poem to translate if you speak another language.

Just edited to lose the end rhyme by flipping a couple words. Trying not to rhyme in haiku. Hard to do!

Reviews

[lightsong]

Brilliant one Mr. Bill, all seasons (well Three of them :>) come together, bonding to form hope and happiness. B.T.W, do You speak all these languages? and I do know how the translations can break the meaning and strength of the original written poem, it needs real talent to translate and keep the essence as best as it can be.

[William Michael Reeves]

I don't speak other languages, no. I do know American Sign Language. But my phone speaks all languages. I really am curious about how translation would change the poems. That's why I would love it if someone translated the adverb poem. Packed with rhyme and short. I've read poetry translated from other languages and wonder what may have been lost in that. Doing this is just me thinking out loud wondering if others have had similar thoughts.

[William Michael Reeves]

That's right! I was going to point out that all four seasons are capitalized. Fall falls on Fall.

[lightsong]

So, your phone wrote the translations? 😱🙄🥴

[William Michael Reeves]

I just tapped translate and entered each word and wrote that down and did each line as seperate and there was a big difference. I went with the one that felt more poetic. I do know some Ukrainian and Spanish from my years in construction.

[JE Falcon]

Well, what can I say, --- "Wow!" --- What a great idea.

[William Michael Reeves]

Hoping to create a collaboration with someone who speaks other languages and rewrite each other. Thanks. Ideas abound!

[keith]

it is good to see another with this very format
i have written multi language translations from english'
i speak texmex, primary ... english, 1st language ... and somewhat partial proper mexican spanish ... and have enough knowledge of french to get myself in trouble!. i grew up along the tex-mex boarder very southern tip of texas in the rio grande valley. multi-cultural/multi lingo
i enjoyed the read and know google translator

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks Keith. I'll come look for some of yours. I find it fascinating. And even just olde English to modern. I'd be interested in your translation of my next poem sun sets on adverbs. How all the rhyme sounds in spanish

[keith]

i'll post one ...

[Coyote Poetry]

Amazing use of words Williams. Here in Michigan. Still waiting for the days of Spring. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks. I do like my Haiku. Guess that's why I picked it to translate. Glad you like too.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Bill.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

The first stanza was beautiful! The other stanzas I'm sure was filled with your poetic talent!

[William Michael Reeves]

I hope someone who speaks one of these languages replies with a rewrite. Interesting to see what gets lost and what gets gained in translation.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

It will be interesting! I shall look back and see what others say!

[KAREN]

I don't speak the language but I'm sure it's awesome!

[William Michael Reeves]

Language is awesome!! So fun to play with. And cry. And admire. And ply!