Questions de forme et de genre en traduction poétique

The present study examines modern and contemporary French poetry from the point of view of its translation into Hungarian. Firstly, the French and Hungarian traditions of poetic translation are summarized briefly. Then the possibility of translation of “verset” (long verse), not recognized in Hungarian poetry as a modern poetic genre, is discussed. Particular attention is called to the return of several contemporary French poets to traditional versification, and to the difficulties of Hungarian translators to suggest the importance of this return. Finally, the Hungarian translation of Roubaud’s volume of poetry (Quelque chose noir) invites reflection on the constraints of Oulipo