Translation or interpretation? A comment on some translations of Don Quixote into English in the 17th and 18th centuries

Abstract

The first English translations of Don Quixote began in the 17th and 18th centuries by John Philips and Thomas Shelton, predecessors of John Stevens. Even in their time, translations were heavily criticized due to the existence of differing versions. While some interpreted what Cervantes said and even included more modern references and references to English culture so that British readers could understand it better, others just translated word for word without further consideration. This resulted in translations that were very different from the original novel, only focused on comedy and adaptation to English culture; and, on the other hand, translations like those of Stevens that tried to be as reliable as possible to maintain the expressions of Cervantes and his implicit messages. Therefore, this essay is a review of the first translations of Don Quixote, the debates arising from them and the difficulty that always exists when facing a translation.