Pitiful epic that is translated (8)
I believe the answer is:
pathetic
'pitiful' is the definition.
(I know that pitiful can be written as pathetic)
'epic that is translated' is the wordplay.
'is translated' indicates anagramming the letters.
'epic'+'that'='epicthat'
'epicthat' anagrammed gives 'PATHETIC'.
(Other definitions for pathetic that I've seen before include "Derisory" , "Hapless, miserable" , "Sadly inadequate" , "Inspiring pity, contempt" , "really pitiful" .)