On the ethics of translators' interventions 2

TL;DR

The author discusses the concept of translation intervention and explores arguments against and for its ethical implications.

Transcript

second interesting fact the translation of the term road map into Hebrew is plural it's the roads map okay and into Arabic it's singular it is the map of the road so in Hebrew you are negotiating about plural roads might be negotiating one day who knows and in Arabic you are seeking the one true road which as as my informant says in uh Islam has re... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍉 The translation of certain terms can carry religious or cultural connotations, impacting negotiations and communication.
• 🥺 Linguistic differences can lead to variations in meaning and scope between translations.
• 🛄 Translation intervention occurs when translators consciously refuse alternative possibilities for specific aims that are not derived from the source text.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is translation intervention?

Translation intervention refers to the conscious refusal of alternative translation possibilities by a translator for a specific aim that is not derived from the source text.

Q: Why does the translation of "road map" differ in Hebrew and Arabic?

The translation of "road map" differs because Hebrew obliges the plural form while Arabic uses the singular form, which has religious connotations.

Q: Why is the presence or omission of the article important in translation?

The presence or omission of the article can significantly alter the meaning and scope of the text, as it can change the interpretation from "some" to "all."

Q: How does the author define intervention in translation?

The author defines intervention as a conscious refusal of alternative translation options, based on aims and purposes that are not derived from the nature of the source text.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author talks about the translation of the term "road map" in Hebrew and Arabic, highlighting the linguistic differences and their potential impact on negotiations.

• Another major change in translation is the presence or omission of the article, which can alter the meaning and the scope of the text.

• The author argues that translation intervention occurs when translators consciously refuse alternative possibilities for a specific aim that is not derived from the source text.