To Bring Across

Studying the origins of the word translation, the word comes from the Latin "translatio" connected to the verb "transferre" which breaks further into "trans" or "across," and "ferre" or "to bring." Then the Greek, "metaphrasis" which means "speaking across." How strangely appropriate.

Until I actually began this blog, I had no idea the turmoil that stirs with in the world of literary translation. If you stop to consider what faces the literary translator it makes sense. Technology decreases the demand for "manual" translations. The business of publishing requires marketability of the product and quick deadlines. Not to mention recognition for the translation, royalties, and copyright issues for the translation.

In addition, the theory behind translations continues to be debated. Today translators tend to emphasize the need to maintain the foreign style and content of the source-text, known as foreignization. Prior to foreignization, the goal of the translator was to make the work appeal to a wider audience, make it more literary.

The British Council sponsors an excellent site on literary translations. They have a page that provides a historical overview of the importance and significant contributions of literary translations.

Traditionally, authors established themselves through translations. Translations were not word for word translations, typically, and the translators published these works with prefaces and critical essays. Through the work of translation, authors were able to better understand writing style and story construction. Many authors that began a career in writing as a translator, implemented style elements of the writer they translated into their own works. Writers and translators used to develop relationships with one another, which often helped with the translation of the work. Today translators are contracted to translate literature.

During the Cold War, programs were created to translate American and British literature and media to bring Western culture to closed societies. Most of the programs established throughout the Cold War remain, but they promote translations of English sources into other languages and less they other way.

So why start a blog to promote literary translations, much less foreign works into English? Transferre. To bring across what is being lost in translation or shut out because the literature is not translated. To know and understand the other side of the story. Translators and the works they translate should be used as "cultural mediators, as ambassadors of foreign literatures and cultures...facilitators of cultural exchanges."

Sphere: Related Content