It is often said that poetry is what is lost in translation. But translation problems in general can arise as much from unwanted additions as unwanted losses. Discuss and illustrate.

... It is often said that poetry is what is lost in translation. But translation problems in general can arise as much from unwanted additions as unwanted losses. Discuss and illustrate. It might perhaps be called the 'primary aim' of translation to reflect the original source-language text as accurately as is possible. This is what can at times seem an insurmountable task in the face of a lack of total equivalence, and translators and translations can often come under a fire of criticism if it is perceived that they have in some way 'betrayed' the original author's vision. Additions and losses can therefore often be viewed negatively, although much of the focus seems to be on losses. However, it is certainly worth considering additions as well as losses when contemplating the category of perhaps inevitable change in the undertaking of translation. This paper will therefore focus on the nature of additions and

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