Sam Friskey
on translating Pablo Neruda
When I was translating “Aquí te amo,” I was struck by the beautiful simplicity of reflexive verbs in Spanish. The second line, for example, features the verb se desenreda, which directly translates to “unravels itself.” As I translated, then, I wanted to subtly explore the idea of self within the context of a relationship. As the opening stanzas feature a handful of reflexive verbs, I began to ask myself: In relationships, what do we do to ourselves, and what do we do to others?
The primary challenge of translating this poem was preserving the romantic nature of the work, as the poem is, of course, a love poem written in a romance language. I tried to preserve alliteration wherever I could and add alliteration in other parts of the poem to make up for alliterations that failed to translate well.
about the author
Pablo Neruda, a Chilean poet and diplomat, is known for his command of romance and sensuality. As best said by Robert Clemens in the Saturday Review, Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada “established [Neruda] at the outset as a frank, sensuous spokesman for love.” At the time of the coup d’état led by Pinochet, Neruda was hospitalized for cancer-related causes. He died soon after, and it is believed that he was poisoned by the Pinochet regime.
about the translator
Sam Friskey is an undergraduate at Penn who is majoring in English and earning a certificate in Hispanic studies. After being raised in a household that only spoke English, she has made it her life goal to become bilingual.
