Lost in translation?

There are many amazing books throughout history that we are now enjoying because translators have taken the task of setting the books in a different language other than that used in the original text.

Translations have made it possible for books to cross geographic boundaries, touch cultures, influence languages, and be enjoyed by people.

That was the way books like the Bible have exploded in popularity and, more importantly, readership. Even today, new translations of the Bible are coming up, like The Passion Translation. You don't have to imagine a John C. Maxwell book in Tagalog, because it is already there. Poetry books in Cebuano and English, like Ester Tapia and Erlinda Kintanar Alburo's Duhawit, are being launched and introduced in different cities in the Philippines.

I would not even be able to discover and, equally important, claim José Saramago to be my favorite if it were not for Margaret Jull Costa who transformed the work from Portuguese to English. And I am pretty sure there is a book in Japanese translated in Spanish. The list goes on.

In an article written about translating Ranier Maria Rilke's work, it said, "Since literary and poetic translation involves such deep and involved interpretation, the translator's position, then, is to evaluate all aspects of the poem. It follows, then, that each translation represents the translator's view on the poet's sensibilities: voice, diction, imagery, figures of speech, sound, form, symbol, allegory, allusion, myth, and theme are all variable on translator."

The words above could very well describe the art of translating any body of written works.

Going beyond the enjoyment of reading, there is a call

to all of us. We must write. We must translate. These are imperative if only to ensure enjoyment of the written works by generations to come.

In Toastmasters, a world-wide organization that leads in communication and leadership, it understands the need for people to connect. Contrary to what people think, Toastmasters is not an English speaking club. That is why the organization has offered its materials in various languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. I wish there were manuals in Tagalog too. It is this diversity that allows new ideas and new ways of communicating to thrive.

I’m sure you’ve seen a video posted on social media of 70 people saying tongue twisters in their own languages. The last lady who said the tongue twister was asked to translate what it meant. She bluntly said it was difficult to say it in English. Lost in translation, you could say?

Hence, the conversation is long. There are many instances too that saying things in one language is not enough. Hence the need to translate works.

*Chappy is a member of The Queen City Toastmasters Club and Fun n Fairways Toastmasters Club. Find these clubs on Facebook.