In this essay, Richard Pevear argues that translation “takes place between two languages” and “allows for an enrichment of the translator’s own language, rather than the imposition of his language on the foreign original.” More specifically, he suggests that for a translator to enrich the piece with his own language, he is making it more easily understandable. He also agrees with philosopher Paul Ricouer’s stance on what translation is, which Richard translates into English for us from a French newspaper. He claims that translation is the mediation between the plurality of cultures and the unity of humanity. He adds that translation is astonishing because it transfers the meaning of one language to another language, thus making them an equivalent. I believe that he is more closely suggesting that translations are able to act as equivalents in meaning because most cultures can relate to one another.
I agree with his argument that translating involves reaching across historical moments and cultures in order to accurately translate the meaning of what was meant to be evoked by the author. But, I would add that too much is lost in translations because in some cases it is very difficult to perfectly translate the meaning of a piece in the exact words that would evoke the same meaning in the new translation. Unless the reader themselves can read the language of the original production, then they are ultimately relying on the translator’s goodwill. That is that they are accurately illustrating the meaning of what is being said. I am not saying that I do not believe in a translator’s ability to translate thoroughly, but rather I am stating that one person’s translation is not enough to give the reader a chance to relate to what is being said. By reading multiple translation’s of the same piece it would be much easier for the reader to piece together circumstantial meaning of what it written during the historical time that it was written in and relate it their present culture.
With this said, I would like to pose two questions:
1) Do you believe that every, or close to every, piece of literature is able to be accurately translated?
2) Do translations unify humanity or can it divide humanity as well?
3 responses to “The Translator’s Inner Voice: A Talk”