Цастроцци. Перевод Александра Волкова

"Zastrozzi: A Youthful Enthusiasm" - A Translation by Alexander Volkov In this translation of Percy B. Shelley's youthful novel, translator Alexander Volkov reflects on his work done during his early years. Looking back as an outsider, Volkov notes a certain resonance between himself and the author in their youthful ambitions. Despite the imperfections of both the original text and the translation, a genuine enthusiasm shines through every line. As Shelley moved away from prose writing relatively quickly, Volkov acknowledges that his present translation interests do not prioritize literary gothic works, although his love for it once seemed everlasting. However, revisiting his old translation has sparked warm feelings within Volkov, as if he caught a glimpse of his former self out of the corner of his eye. Hence, in reviewing the text before publication, he strives to preserve the sense of youthful enthusiasm. The surname of the novel's protagonist varies slightly in Volkov's rendition compared to the more common Russian versions of Shelley's works. However, Volkov finds significance in Shelley's triple use of the letter "z" in the surname "Zastrozzi" – a less frequently used letter in the English language. To convey this phonetic and graphical exoticism, Volkov chooses to triple the letter "ц" – an uncommon letter in the Russian language. Additionally, the use of "ц" to convey the initial "z" in Italian surnames is an acceptable albeit outdated method, unlike the use of the letter "з" with the same purpose. To enhance a sense of antiquity, reminiscent of early Russian translations of "Romeo and Juliet," the name "Julia" is translated as "Юлия." Shelley's characters unexpectedly and inconsistently switch between "you" and "thou" in moments of pathos – a trait that Volkov faithfully reproduces in his translation. Therefore, if the alternating use of "вы" (you) and "ты" (thou) appears peculiar to readers, it should be noted as an accurate representation of the original. Initially, Volkov undertook this translation without planning for publication, and the result is a unique and heartfelt rendition of Shelley's work that captures the essence of youthful enthusiasm.