Tradurre Montale. Il problema del “correlativo oggettivo”

Translating Montale. The problem of “objective correlative” – The presence of “objective correlative” in two first Montale’s poetry books requires specific translation strategies. In this article, we analyse Polish translations of two famous Montale’s poems: Meriggiare pallido e assorto and La casa dei doganieri, focusing on nouns which can have value of “objective correlatives”. Although the translators seem to follow closely the originals, they actually change some words regarding very specific objects. What is more they do not deal with deictic elements crucial for the grid of relations between the things and the lyrical subject, indispensable for reconstructing his sentimental and emotional world. And in fact neither of translators notice that a very closed reading of Montale’s poetry renouncing any interpretation seems to be the only possible and acceptable one.