LOST IN TRANSLATION by Eden Unger Bowditch

Translated works are often considered a shadow of the original. And, often, they can be. However, the art of translation can bring about an entirely new creation. The power of the translator is enormous. Deciding the meaning of a word, in context, is more than deciding which word to use. By selecting a word you give meaning, specific or even new meaning, to the translated work.

Sophocles was a master of ambiguous meaning. One of his greatest works, the plays of Oedipus, are full of rich ambiguity. The name, Oedipus, can refer to ‘swollen foot’ and the fact that Oedipus was taken as a baby and left, in irons, to die. The scars of his young childhood remained with him. However, it can also refer to ‘knowing’ or ‘seeing’ which are two things that play a huge role in the story that seals his fate. How a translator decides to play the meaning can determine how we see the character, in different light.

Look at these options given by author Robert Guay:

1.    How dreadful to know when the knowledge does not destroy death for the knower.

2.    How dreadful to know when the knowledge does not destroy ends for the knower.

3.    How dreadful to know when the knowledge does not fulfill death for the knower.

4.    How dreadful to know when the knowledge does not fulfill ends for the knower.

These do not mean the same thing, yet  they are all translations, valid translations, from a line of Tiresias, the ‘blind seer’, in the story.

Children’s literature is full of fabulous translations, from the brothers Grimm to Pippi Longstocking to Cornelia Funke. Sometimes, in the hands of a poet, the translation can bring new and wonderful magic to the page. Translation is an art unto itself.

MYTHS, FABLES, and STORIES WE KNOW by Eden Unger Bowditch

There are myths or fables that we know without even knowing how we know them. Lots of Aesop’s Fables are like that (sour grapes, singing donkeys, mama bullfrogs) as stories from Greek mythology (Achilles, Odysseus, Hercules/Heracles) and the bible (Jonah, Noah). We have films coming out that regularly revive old stories and myths (Snow White, Jack the Giant Slayer, et al) and let us not forget that Sophocles, let alone Shakespeare, took those old stories and ran with them. A good myth never dies.

Living in Egypt, I have discovered that many (if not most) of the stories I have heard from here are very close to many of the myths we know in the West. Some of the ancient stories, like the stories of Isis and Osiris and the Egyptian gods, have a familiarity all their own. But the later stories, from around this region, areclose to other stories we have heard, as well.  Here are some Middle Eastern stories that might seem familiar:

The Boatman and The Scholar

As the boatman rowed the scholar across the river, the scholar chided the boatman for his lack of learning. “Your life is nothing if you have not learned your letters,” he said. Suddenly, the boat was tossed and broken and began to sink. “I am drowning!” cried the scholar. “Your life is nothing if you have not learned to swim,” said the boatman.

The Smuggler and The Official

There was news that a smuggler was bringing in stolen goods. The official stopped a man who had a donkey carrying large bags of straw. Searching the straw, the official found nothing. Every day, the man came with a donkey carrying great bags of straw Every day the official checked. For months, this went on and never could the official find anything of value in the straw. Many years later, the retired official and the man met at a café. They sat together and shared tea. “I tell you, my friend, I know you were the smuggler. But I could never figure out what it was or how you did it. Please tell me, what were you smuggling?” The man smiled, “Donkeys.”

And there are stories of the Mulla (or Mula), the wise fool, like the story of the man who lamented that all he owned filled only a small sack. The Mulla snatched the sack and ran. The man began to cry and walked all the more sadly down the road. The Mula then left the sack in the man’s path. When the man came to the sack he rejoiced! The Mula smiled because he had made the man happy.

When we read these we say, Oh, yeah, I think I’ve heard that, because likely, you have. Remember the story of the blind men and the elephant? Each one touching a part of the elephant and saying “I know the elephant, it is very like a tree,” or “It is very like a rope,” depending on what each an held. This story is from India. There are fables from China, Ireland, Japan, France… and somehow the stories, and the lessons they teach, are familiar.

 

Does anyone else have tales from their childhood?