Translation as a Poetic Dialogue: Diana Bellesi and Six American Poets

Abstract

This paper focuses on “Contéstame, Baila mi danza”, the 1984 anthology of American women poets edited by Argentine poet Diana Bellesi; to analyze it as political, artistic and genre dialogue. In 1984, Diana Bellesi edited “Contéstame, Baila mi Danza”, an anthology which included poems by American writers Muriel Rukeyser, Denise Levertov, June Jordan, Diane Di Prima, Adrienne Rich, Irena Klepfisz, and an essay by Barbara Deming. The book brought into the attention of the Spanish-speaking public some of the most relevant 20th-century American women poets, some of whom had not been translated into Spanish before. Bellesi considers that the six women she chose for her anthology share a rebellious spirit, a powerful language, a common history, and above all, their women's voices. This paper aims at reading the anthology as an artistic, political and genre dialogue between the Argentine poet and her six American counterparts. Through a close reading of both the introductory section, the anthologized poets' biographical notes, and the translations themselves, the research carried out will prove the importance of literary translation as an artistic and ideological program that results in a fruitful dialogue across cultures and languages.