Texts in Translation

When translating texts, there is always the potential of losing certain phrases or meanings to the limitations of each language, such as not having certain letters or words that may be used in the original language. Not only this, but translations can also be changed depending on the understanding that the translator has of the text, which could cause the text's meanings to shift according to the liking of the translator. In essence this can also be beneficial to allow texts to be seen in different lights but texts can also be controlled. This is because governments or scholars can decide to censor ideas within translated texts, such as cutting out any anti-government thoughts.

Although, there are also benefits to translating a text. This particularly comes from how, through translating languages, cultures and their traditions and beliefs can be transferred and shared globally. An example is how traditions, such as festivals in a country, can be described and explained or even certain beliefs, like thoughts shared by a community. This example is shown in books like “The Thief and the Dogs” where we are able to learn the thoughts and ideas of people in the Egyptian Revolution and their lives afterwards which many people in countries like Canada, U.K and the U.S.A would not understand due to Arabic not being as widely spread compared to Egypt. Another example of how translating texts are beneficial is how translators can implement their own ideas and versions of the text which can help readers understand how texts and their meanings can be varied. An example is how Feng translated Tagore’s poems into Chinese and how he showed a more sexual side to some of his verses that, before, had been controlled to simply be flowered versions of love verses. Overall, translating texts  can be beneficial to teaching others about cultures or about different ideas that they may never see due to them being too far or because of possible language barriers.