LSAT 3 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q1

LR Question 1 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: The translator of poetry must realize that word-for-word…

QUESTION TYPE: Main Point

ANALYSIS: This says that we can make effective translations of poetry, but that they cannot be literal. We must pay attention to the capabilities of the target language and try to adapt the meaning of the poem to those forms.

___________

1. Music is used as an analogy to show that poetry can be translated.
2. This might be true but it certainly isn’t the main point. The main point is that translation must take into account the nature of both the original language and the target language.
3. This sounds very nice, but don’t be fooled. It is true that we shouldn’t be concerned with translating the exact meaning. But rhythms and sound patterns aren’t the main point either. Different languages have different rhythms and we must adapt our rhythm to the target language. We must try to make a poem that is recognizably the same as the original, i.e. It must preserve its spirit.
4. CORRECT. Yes. You must understand the true meaning of the original poem and also how best to translate it into the structures of your target language.
5. I’m not even sure where this comes from. The stimulus doesn’t mention any of this stuff. Don’t pick nonsense answer choices.

Recap: The question begins with “The translator of poetry must realize that word-for-word”. It is a Identify The Conclusion question. Learn how to master LSAT Identify questions on the LSAT Logical Reasoning question types page.