The theory of Maestro Baltasar Cespedes concerning the work of translating - Francisco Calero

The theory of Baltasar Cespedes on translation has not been given the attention it deserves, in spite of the great interest which his contribution to this subject has.

Thus, for example, besides pointing out the usefulness that translation has for the Humanist, B. Cespedes was the first to clearly establish the three essential requirements for a translator a knowledge of the source language, a knowledge of the target language and a mastery of the subject.

Likewise, he offers the correct interpretation of two classic passages from Horace and Cicero on the task of translations, which have been frequently misunderstood, even today.

It requires that the translator adapt himself to the style of the original. "... in such a way that if the author has a grave, harsh or smooth style the translation must have exactly the same air and the same figures, as Cicero says", and criticises translators who take the isolated references of an author, without knowledge of the entire work, and therefore cannot capture its real meaning.