Pour une nouvelle version italienne de ‘Sylvie’ de Gérard de Nerval: notes à la traduction et à la lecture

Why retranslate Gérard de Nerval’s ‘Sylvie’? This novel stands as one of the most translated—and retranslated—European narratives of the 19th century. Does this prevalence justify the proposal of yet another translation? Beyond acting as a mediator, can a translator assume the role of a judge and selector, determining what merits retranslation? In my view, the answer is yes, provided that the translator seeks not a “better” translation—a notion now deemed anachronistic—but rather one that offers a fresh perspective on the reading and reception of so-called national and classical literary texts. The aim is not to update or modernise an ancient text; it is rather about presenting a new avenue for engaging with the work, challenging readers to appreciate the historical, cultural, and geographical alterity, as well as the diachronic layers of language that a classical work especially amplifies. This new retranslation of Sylvie aims to gift readers with a new imaginary of translation within the history of the Italian reception of the novel.