We are told that there are no word-for-word equivalents that exist across languages, just as piano sounds do not exist in the violin. However, the violin can recognizably play the same music as the piano, but this is dependent on the violinist being guided by the nature and possibilities of the violin, as well as by the original composition.
If we were to apply this same act to the translation of poetry, we could then translate poetry from one language into another only if it is guided by the nature and possibilities of the intended language to be translated in and by the original language. Allowing the original language to guide the translator is clear. However, what is meant by "the nature and possibilities" when applied to a language? Most likely this is referring to how language can be used and characterized, since the possibilities of language are dependent on the way words relate to each other and their meanings.
The answer that conveys this is answer choice (D): "the translator must observe the spirit of the original and also the qualities of expression that characterize the language into which the original is translated."
Answer choice (C) is incorrect because it doesn't conform to the analogy given in the second sentence. We are looking for an answer choice that explains how the translator must be guided not only by the possibilities of a new language, but also by the literal composition of the original language. That is not what answer choice (C) conveys.
Hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
