Translating Deuda Natal: Poetry, Memory, and the Ethics of Language

Translating poetry is an intricate exercise that demands not only linguistic accuracy but also an understanding of historical, cultural, and literary contexts. This thesis presents translations of poems by Mara Pastor, exploring the complexities of conveying her work in English while preserving its nuance and emotional resonance. Pastor’s poetry addresses themes of Puerto Rican history, ecological disaster, colonialism, and identity, often employing irony and layered symbolism that resist direct translation. Through close readings and comparative analysis, this thesis demonstrates how historical and political context is essential to fully appreciating her work, and how overlooking these elements can lead to flattening or misinterpreting the poetry’s intent. Drawing on translation theory, poetic analysis, and personal reflection, this author argues that direct translation alone cannot capture the full artistry of Pastor’s work. Instead, translation is treated as an interpretive act—one that requires sensitivity to tone, rhythm, and metaphor. This project also traces this author’s own transformation, from approaching translation as a linguistic exercise to recognizing it as an embodied and creative practice. In navigating the space between languages, this thesis emphasizes how sound, feeling, and cultural awareness must work together to create a translation that honors both the original text and the voice of this translator.