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When poetry is translated from one language into another, some readers insist on strictly literal translations, because this allows them to interpret the poem for themselves rather than having an interpretation imposed on them. However, this insistence is most often counterproductive for these readers. Adequate interpretation of the underlying meaning of a poem requires a deep understanding of the language and cultural background within which the poem first appeared. And while few readers of poetry in translation have this understanding, many translators have it.
In the table, identify the statement that most accurately states the Conclusion of the argument and the statement that most accurately describes an Assumption on which the argument depends. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Most translators who have done strictly literal translations of poetry have a deep understanding of the languages and backgrounds of the poems they translate.
Insisting on strictly literal translations of poetry tends to result in poorer understanding by readers.
Few translators who deeply understand a poem's language and its cultural background can interpret the poem adequately.
A significant number of translators who deeply understand the language and cultural background of poems can interpret them adequately.
A significant number of readers who insist on strictly literal translations of a poem are able to adequately interpret it.
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
| "When poetry is translated from one language into another, some readers insist on strictly literal translations, because this allows them to interpret the poem for themselves rather than having an interpretation imposed on them." |
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| "However, this insistence is most often counterproductive for these readers." |
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| "Adequate interpretation of the underlying meaning of a poem requires a deep understanding of the language and cultural background within which the poem first appeared." |
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| "And while few readers of poetry in translation have this understanding, many translators have it." |
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The conclusion is explicitly stated: "this insistence is most often counterproductive for these readers." We should look for a choice that captures this idea - that demanding literal translations actually harms readers' understanding rather than helping it.
The argument suggests translators' interpretations are valuable because they have deep understanding. But it never explicitly states that translators can actually USE this understanding to create good interpretations. This gap needs to be filled - we need to assume that having deep understanding enables translators to interpret poems adequately.