On the translator's visibility, Part 1

TL;DR

Translators are often expected to be invisible, but Lawrence Venuti argues for a more visible and active approach to translation.

Transcript

well last year I I was talking about what I do here in montere and well you do I I do Theory and research and all those sort of things and the other person was an American academic and and she asked um and and who do you teach in the theory course said well I teach my students but no no I mean what do you teach what which theorist do you teach who ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😘 Translators in Anglo American culture are often expected to be invisible, which can lead to underappreciation and low pay.
• 🫥 Lawrence Venuti argues for a more visible and active approach to translation, which can lead to greater appreciation and awareness of foreign cultures.
• 😘 The low presence of translations in Anglo American culture contributes to a limited understanding of other languages and perspectives.
• 🤨 The concept of visibility in translation raises important questions about the role and perception of translators in society.
• 🪡 There is a potential for conflict between the idea of invisibility as an ideal in translation and the need for translators to be recognized and appreciated.
• ⚖️ Traditional Chinese philosophy emphasizes balance, harmony, and the wider context, providing an alternative perspective on translation and visibility.
• 🏑 The field of translation studies is expanding to include a focus on the ecological principles and the wider context of translation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do translators in Anglo American culture differ in terms of visibility compared to translators in other cultures?

In Anglo American culture, translators are often expected to be invisible and their work goes unnoticed. This is not the case in many other cultures where translators are more visible and their work is appreciated and discussed.

Q: What is Lawrence Venuti's argument regarding visibility in translation?

Venuti argues that translators should not aspire to invisibility, but should instead be more active and visible in their work. He believes that this will lead to greater appreciation, better contracts, and increased awareness of foreign cultures.

Q: How does the low presence of translations affect Anglo American culture?

The speaker explains that the low presence of translations leads to limited awareness of foreign cultures in Anglo American culture. This can result in a xenophobic and imperialistic attitude, as the culture remains ignorant of other perspectives and languages.

Q: How does the concept of visibility in translation relate to the translation profession as a whole?

The concept of visibility in translation raises important questions about the role and perception of translators in society. It challenges the idea that translators should aim to be invisible and highlights the need for greater recognition and appreciation of their work.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses how translators are often expected to be invisible and not publicly appreciated in Anglo American culture.

• Lawrence Venuti's ideas on visibility in translation are introduced, emphasizing the need for translators to be more active and visible in their work.

• The low presence of translations in Anglo American culture has resulted in limited awareness of foreign cultures and a potentially imperialistic and xenophobic attitude.