Being a bilingual person, I always find it difficult to express myself in both languages equally. Often when I am asked to translate something from arabic to english or english to arabic, the translation doesn't always express the same idea in both languages respectively.
This is the same issue faced within literature and translation. When a translator decides to translate a text to another language, he/she must read over it several times, understand the context and content as well as basic text characteristics such as characters or plot. The translator must also understand the writers intentions and writing techniques, in order to really understand the text and translate it as accurately as possible in the translated texts. Although this does provide many issues.
Some argue that the value of literature is greatly diminished through the translation, since some translators cannot accurately perceive the writers original intentions. An example of this is the incident that occurred with best-selling Chinese author Feng Tang, when he attempted to translate an indian novel and in the process managed to offend the original author and was described as "vulgar". Although it might not have been his intention, translating a literary work can never be 100% accurate, as no one can mimic the authors thought process and technique.
On the other hand translating literary texts has proven to be extremely beneficial. Many of the famous novels we all know are not originally written in english, but translated from their original language. In fact in areas like Slovenia, 70% of their literary works are translated texts from other languages originally. Therefore translation has proven to provide many reading and learning opportunities overall.
This is the same issue faced within literature and translation. When a translator decides to translate a text to another language, he/she must read over it several times, understand the context and content as well as basic text characteristics such as characters or plot. The translator must also understand the writers intentions and writing techniques, in order to really understand the text and translate it as accurately as possible in the translated texts. Although this does provide many issues.
Some argue that the value of literature is greatly diminished through the translation, since some translators cannot accurately perceive the writers original intentions. An example of this is the incident that occurred with best-selling Chinese author Feng Tang, when he attempted to translate an indian novel and in the process managed to offend the original author and was described as "vulgar". Although it might not have been his intention, translating a literary work can never be 100% accurate, as no one can mimic the authors thought process and technique.
On the other hand translating literary texts has proven to be extremely beneficial. Many of the famous novels we all know are not originally written in english, but translated from their original language. In fact in areas like Slovenia, 70% of their literary works are translated texts from other languages originally. Therefore translation has proven to provide many reading and learning opportunities overall.
Mashallah, I like how you introduced the response by implementing personal scope regarding translation in general. Good points argued, advantages and disadvantages of translating literary texts, while also providing evidence from the articles.
ReplyDeleteGood connection to your bilingual connections , bringing in a new perspective on how people that grow up with several languages often find themselves as involuntary translators, emphasising with the effort it takes to find the right word/ context. good reference to the readings.
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