On Arrogance and Humility - Michael

On Arrogance and Humility

Michael Tsegaye

The sentence on Arrogance and Humility in the last reading rings especially true in my opinion. Translation as a means can easily be conflated with and end in itself, leading to translations that are so "hyper-faithful" to the essence of each word and its equivalent that it threatens to "throw out the baby with the bathwater". Translating will always shed meaning absent in the target language, but what is easy to replicate is affects. 

Effective translation starts with Humility. Rather than paying attention to each word and its equivalent, consider how the totality of the message creates its effect (insofar as you too are a subjective recipient of language). When possible, even consider the reaction of others around you. Afterwards, still consider the words as they are translated individually, but treating the words as holding strongholds over meaning is a worse tyranny than simply how the words make you feel. Ultimately, the purpose of language is to represent understanding within an already subjective consciousness. Because of this, the next step is unfortunately composed of Arrogance.

To be arrogant enough to assume meaning is to skip the step of endless anxiety over meaning. If you have done your duty of understanding the myriad ways the words can and often are interpreted, gladly set your fears aside and let your feelings guide you through the translation. Good translators, in my opinion, must be almost like dancers, letting the various directions the words in the target language pull you in help you keep tempo with how the original language compelled you. Too much revision, and your meanings fall flat and without teeth. Too little, and one risks letting their personal interpretation terrorize any attempt at faithful interpretation.

This is how I attempted to approach my translation for this week. I doubt whether or not I did an efficient job, but the last thing I want to do is treat translation as an ends rather than simply a means to the transfer of meaning.