que las superficies bruñidas figuran y prometen el infinito

Question

(borges) speaking about mirrors prefers to think that these ''polished surfaces shape'? and promise infinity..''

Answer 1

That these polished surfaces stand out and promise long lasting wear or promise great depth'

Answer 2

This is from Jorge Luis Borges's "The Library of Babel" (1941), and this line has been translated as follows.

"I prefer to dream that burnished surfaces are a figuration and promise of the infinite."

"Figuran" here could also be translated as representation, depiction, etc., and of course the whole line could be translated in other ways, but this is one good version.

Answer 3

Wow, how wrong was I, but then again poets and writers have a great deal of license don't they.

Answer 4

Eddy,
What part of the translation do feel involves poetic license? It's a pretty literal translation, IMO.

Answer 5

There's no mentioning of dreaming for a start.

Answer 6

That's because the OP didn't include the whole sentence. It is very easy to find translations of famous works just by googling, which is what I did.

Answer 7

my fault there for not giving the full sentence.. it actually starts with ''yo prefiero soñar que...'' cheers lads.. just started using this forum and its proving to be a great help

Answer 8

Claps for you, James.