Questions About The Kalevala

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Answered Questions (4)

Which English translator/translation provides the best experience?

Ian Slater At least two other translations are in the running.

The second English translation, the first made directly from Finnish, was by W.F. Kirby (1907), and…moreAt least two other translations are in the running.

The second English translation, the first made directly from Finnish, was by W.F. Kirby (1907), and reprinted endlessly in an Everyman's Library edition in two volumes).

Kirby's rendering is the form in which J.R.R. Tolkien read it. It inspired him to learn Finnish, which had a profound effect on one of his Elvish languages, and it also provided a model for his earliest efforts in constructing a mythology. He approved of parts of Kirby's version (such as the "invention of beer" -- he thought that it was even funnier than the original), but didn't consider it fully satisfactory. (He didn't consider his own translations of Old and Middle English literature to be fully satisfactory, either).

It is important to remember that the Kirby translation is in stressed trochaic tetrameter, an English adaptation of the original meter. (Also known to some as Hiawatha-meter; Longfellow got it from a German translation of Kalevala). Some people find this tiresome, others greatly enjoy it; the use of it admittedly limited Kirby's accuracy.

It is available as a free Kindle Book (via Project Gutenberg): and in a lot of other on-line and print editions.

The third English translation, by the distinguished medievalist Francis P. Magoun, Jr., appeared in 1963. It is in prose and, again, some people like this, while others are disappointed. It comes with maps, character indexes, and the like. It got high marks for accuracy -- and later printings have an additional appendix, meticulously giving corrections to various passages that weren't quite right.

(A friend once pointed out to me that, with its appendices, etc., the Magoun translation physically resembles "The Return of the King," and some other Tolkien volumes.)

Magoun also translated the first edition of Kalevala, as "The Old Kalevala," and included additional documentation. It is important not to confuse the two when trying to order a copy.(less)

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Are the heroes of The Kalevala (Wainamoinen, Ilmarinen, and Lemminkainen) supposed to be liked? They often seem rash, unnecessarily murderous, cruel, and, especially Lemminkainen, ignore advice that comes for reliable sources. They often (well, not Wainamoinen that often) seem like the villains, but since they are the heroes I'm left confused if my modern sensibilities are colouring my interpretation.

Brix I'll think Kalevala shows to you several types of men and women. It shows what happens if you don't listen to your mother, if you are cruel, if you go…moreI'll think Kalevala shows to you several types of men and women. It shows what happens if you don't listen to your mother, if you are cruel, if you go to war. And it was lullaby for babys, adwises for yougn ones and soap opera before television. (less)

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This was my introduction to Finnish literature. What Finnish author/book should I read next? I prefer stories with a strain of fantasy (as in magical realism), folklore and religion, but really, any genre is fine by me, except detective/noir stories.

Craig Tommola Where did you go from here?

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summary of kalevala?

Suden Käpälä

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

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