Defining Translations that Build Boundaries - Literature review Example

Defining Translations that Build Boundaries Introduction The concept of translation is one which creates interpretations and misrepresentations that occur between individuals and cultures. In the stories, Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahri, and Dictee by Theresa Cha, there is an understanding of how interpretations can change the relationship between individuals and cultures. The translation is one which leads to a lack of understanding and different definitions that are interpreted between those who are interchanging the words. The translation used creates boundaries of identity between different cultures and those who are forming relationships. When interpreting the two stories, it can be seen that the desire to translate and understand the different languages creates to boundaries and divisions between the characters in the stories. Defining Boundaries The definition of boundaries is one which is noted in both of the stories and creates the limitations between characters and relationships which are formed. The concept of boundaries is one which is defined by the unknown. The unknown to the different characters is based on the misunderstanding of culture, language and the regions in which the individual’s are in. From the unknown, there is a desire to create a definition of what things should mean. The translation becomes the main concept of boundaries, specifically because as things are translated, it is interpreted with a different definition or as an association to another language or culture which one identifies with. The boundaries which are created are based specifically on the division which occurs with definitions and the loss of meaning between words when interpreted by other’s ideas. When there is an exchange between the cultures or ideas, then the boundaries are created, specifically because the perspective and understanding is one which begins to differ between the different individuals. The concept of defining boundaries is seen with the simple gestures as well as the actions which the characters take. For instance, in Lahri’s book, Mr. Kapasi describes his translation of greetings. This shows an immediate lack of interpretation and definition because of the cultural boundaries which are created. “Mr. Kapasi was accustomed to foreign tourists; he was assigned to them regularly because he could speak English….When he’d introduced himself, Mr. Kapasi had pressed his palms together in greeting, but Mr. Das squeezed hands like an American so that Mr. Kapasi felt it in his elbow. Mrs. Das, for her part, had flexed one side of her mouth” (Lahiri, 44). This particular quote shows how there are immediate boundaries between the cultures, specifically from the first greeting that occurs between the individuals. The greetings by each are accepted; however, Mr. Kapasi also narrates this as a disinterest in the culture or a feeling in the elbow that is uncomfortable. The boundaries are then created through even the translation of greetings between each of the cultures. The same types of boundaries are seen when associating with the work of Dictee. The mistranslations and signs and symbols that are used create immediate gaps with translation, specifically because each only mimics the other. The meaning, definition and the way in which the narrator is able to associate with others is lost only with a sense of sounds. To others, this creates a boundary that is based only on the inability of understanding different concepts and defining the meaning because of the lack of language similarity. For instance, in the beginning of the book, Cha states: “Ecrivez en francais: 1. If you like this better, tell me so at once. 2. The general remained only a little while in this place. 3. If you did not speak so quickly, they would understand you better” (Cha, 8). The approach which Cha takes through one not speaking so quickly so they are understood shows how the gaps in translation and the misunderstandings of telling create boundaries between individuals while cultural associations, assumptions, definitions and personal meanings become the main ideology followed. The concept which is created through phrases like these immediately create boundaries because of the lack of a technical definition, interchange between cultural languages and fragmented thoughts that drive the reading forward. The author is able to show boundaries as an example through the main writing. Building Identity with Language The concepts of boundaries that are a part of language not only become important because of the boundaries which are created. There is also a sense of identity that comes with creating the identity and the way in which different individuals associate with language. However, this identity is also created by definitions which are translated. The identity then becomes associated directly with an individual and cultural perception of what it means to speak a specific language or belong to a different region. There is an understanding that the language creates specific expressions that can be used in one language or understanding and not in others. The concept of interpretation and the ability to define what is needed then becomes one of the most important associations with the identity. For Mr. Kapasi, the identity is based on him knowing eight languages, only one which is based on the English language, as well as his desire to be a translator for those who are in diplomatic situations. The talent of learning languages and crossing over the definitions and boundaries is one which not only leads him to leading tours, but also causes him to be associated with helping individuals who are sick and need translations or definitions. The definitions and identity which is created is one which is restricted to Mr. Kapasi, who is able to overcome the boundaries that are related to the language. At the same time, Mr. Das shows that he struggles with learning only one other language. The concept of identity then becomes important, specifically because it links directly to how this creates and defines an individual and what they understand about others. The definitions which are associated with these two individuals is based on the creation of identity, specifically through the concept of translation and the ability to define different ideas across cultures. Cha’s book furthers this specific concept by creating definitions that overcome boundaries as well as create identity. The identity is one which is based on trying to take out the definitions that are a part of one’s language or culture and instead creating a mixture or disassociation with the culture. The identity becomes one that is questioned and which creates a sense of not belonging or being defined in any type of culture. “from A Far / What nationality / or what kindred and relation / what blood relation / what blood ties blood / what ancestry / what race generation / what house clan tribe stock strain / what lineage extraction / what breed sect gender denomination cast / what stray ejection misplaced / Tertium Quid neither one thing nor the other / Tombe des nues de naturalized” (Cha, 20). The excerpt of Cha is a demonstration on how the identity of one is based on the several concepts of culture and language. However, the representation which she gives is one which is based on breaking the idea of identity and instead creates a sense of being ‘naturalized,’ or ‘misplaced,’ which is equivalent to losing identity because of the mixed identity. The mixture of language and the idea of Babel are associated with this concept of Cha, specifically because definitions, identity and other concepts become mixed and lost in translations. Similar to Mr. Kapasi, the identity is lost, specifically because of the associations with language that are a part of the story. Breaking through Translation Another concept which is a part of building the identity and the boundaries which are associated with this is the depiction of boundaries and definitions, as opposed to breaking through the translations for understanding. The concept of language and the ability to understand several languages also leads to the assumption that one is more knowledgeable and has the capacity to understand more about the situation. For instance, when Mrs. Das tells Mr. Kapasi about her secret, he responds with a misunderstanding of why this has been told. “ ‘ Don’t you see? For eight years I haven’t been able to express this to anybody, not to friends, certainly not to Raj. He doesn’t even suspect it. He thinks I’m still in love with him….Mr. Kapasi, don’t you have anything to say? I thought that was your job.’ ‘My job is to give tours, Mrs. Das.’ ‘Not that. Your other job. As an interpreter.’ ‘But we do not face a language barrier. What need is there for an interpreter?” (Lahiri, 65). The specific association with telling this secret then leads into Mr. Kapasi giving a remedy to Mrs. Das because of the pain that she feels. The belief is that the understanding of different languages, interpretation and the ability to identify across the borders which are created can also create a different link. This link is one which Mrs. Das shows aren’t between those who are closest together and which lead to several complexities because of misinterpretations. Breaking across the boundaries and interpreting the meaning is one which becomes symbolic of creating a different sense of identity and understanding that is more intimate, and which most believe they can never reach. The same concept of breaking through boundaries and identity is seen with the Dictee story. The overall formation of the book is based on breaking through identity, language, culture and boundaries. This is done by showing the misinterpretations, lack of language and the breaking through of identity. The author moves between poems, fragmented sentences, empty pages, three words on one page and a lack of complete sentences or thoughts. This is done not only to show the boundaries that are a part of the identity which is created through culture. To interpret and understand the meaning of the book, there is also the need to break through the boundaries which have been created by the author and to define a new type of identity that goes beyond culture and language. This helps to define the overall meaning in the book and allows for symbolism, thought processes and the concept of identity to be interpreted through personal and cultural associations with the words which have been written. Conclusion The concept of translation, in both Lahiri’s and Cha’s story, are used to identify a deeper meaning within both stories. The translation creates a boundary between identities, specifically because of misinterpretations and misunderstandings which occur across cultures. The two stories show how the concept of translation is one which is used to divide identities and to show misunderstandings that occur through different definitions, interpretations and understandings of what something means. The stories are able to further this with the desire to overcome the boundaries through relationships and connecting to others that are a part of the conversation. However, the ability to do this is one which is also misinterpreted and misunderstood because of the different definitions and meaning of boundaries which are created between individuals. The concept of translation then becomes one which is based specifically on misinterpretations and the creation of boundaries with forming relationships between cultures. Works Cited Cha, Theresa. Dictee. Tanam Press: California, 1982. Lahiri, Jhumpa. Interpreter of Maladies. Houghton Mifflin: New York, 1999. Read More