Lost in Translation

This past class really got me thinking about who is to blame when things are 'lost in translation'? And furthermore, do people from different cultures view or define the world in a different way than others based on a difference in language?

In my opinion, things are lost in translation for two distinct reasons: either the words of the language have multiple meanings (and determining the intended context proves difficult), or people are just too lazy or uninterested to search for the original meaning of a text or piece of language. This whole idea reminds me of that game telephone that I'm sure we all played when we were younger. You start with one person who says a sentence or phrase, and often times, the last person blurts out something completely different than what was originally said. I feel as though this happens all too often - one language thinks that this text means one thing, when really it means something completely different. And as it is used and taught in the wrong context, the work takes on multiple meanings and is therefore said to be 'lost in translation'.

To address the other question - I think about how we, as humans define and organize our thoughts. Without language, I would not have any thoughts - I have come to think in words. When I see something beautiful (such as a sunset or the ocean) I describe it in words. But think to how a person from another culture would define something like that. Not all languages have words that directly translate. Therefore, we could be missing out on some great understanding of the world because we do not have the words to describe it.



Now I'm not saying that people have to have a language to appreciate the beauties of the world, but think of this in another way. Language has come to be closely associated with culture and with the given traditions of that culture. People of one culture may feel that the sunset has a worldly power, while others may see it simply in terms of natural beauty. My point here is that language is an important part of world communication - it serves as one way to relate to other people and develop similar ideas. It can serve as a barrier between two people who do not speak the same language, and as a means to see and define the world within our own minds.

We need to take a step back and realize that language can be 'lost in translation' if people do not make a conscious effort to hold onto its worldly importance and fully recognize the many sides to language that have come to be so important in defining our lives.

A Symbol of Past and Present

In completing my reading of the novel Power, I came to the realization that Omishto had grown out of her once dire need for her boat. Throughout the novel, Omishto's boat had served as her safe place from which she could observe the world. It was the one place that she could go and escape from all the pressures of home and life. It was also the one thing that seemed to anchor her to the memory of her real father, for he had given it to her.

In time, however, Omishto begins to let go of the tight grasp that she figuratively holds on the boat. This boat that had once been such a significant aspect in her life, almost functioning as a part of her, had suddenly lost its purpose and place in her life. On the one hand, it was evident to me just how much Omishto had matured in the course of the novel and how it made sense that her need for such a thing would fade. But on the other hand, I was surprised at her willingness to let go. At this point, I was reminded of the storm, and how Omishto was so quick to risk her life to save her boat. For something that had been so important to her such a short time ago, she seemed awful quick to let it go.

Although many times we grow out of the things that once held such meaning in our lives, I believe they should continue to serve as symbols of the past. I feel that although Omishto no longer needs the boat to serve as her safe place, it should now serve as a constant reminder of how she came to be where she is now. The events of her life unfolded from the day of the storm, and therefore, the boat will always serve as a symbol of what carried her to where she now finds herself.

Belief vs. Knowledge

This past class, we began to discuss the difference between belief and knowledge. This discussion really got me thinking about my own definition of these two terms, both of which play such a large part in my life.

If you take a step back, what we know and what we believe are two things that come to define us and how we relate to others in the world. For example, when we are of a certain faith, we relate more to the people who share that similar faith with us - those who believe in the same things. Those who believe things entirely different from us are not as easy to establish a relationship with because overcoming differences often proves harder than accepting similarities.

Knowledge, on the other hand, can be viewed as a tangible piece of our world - it implies understanding and an underlying search for truth. Every human has a natural tendency to search for knowledge and truth in their everyday lives. Our society has come to define knowledge as intelligence, or how much we understand the inner workings of the world in which we live. It seems as though our beliefs have almost lost their significance in the modern world - where everyone strives to find certainty within the tangible realm of the universe.

In my opinion, our beliefs hold a special importance in our lives because they serve as a reminder that we are human and cannot know all. There are some things about our world that must be left unknown, leaving us with a freedom to form our own opinions about them - whether they turn out to be true or not in the end does not matter. Everyone needs to establish their own set of beliefs, because our beliefs come to define us in a unique sense. Every person can learn the same, invariable facts, but beliefs offer us the chance to see the world through in our own way- and this is something that is worth taking advantage of.

The Power of Nature

To Omishto, the most exciting and intriguing part of life comes from the natural world that surrounds her. Nature, with all of its power and beauty, serves as her main source of inspiration and comfort. In the course of reading, it was evident that Omishto does not seem to connect with any of the people in her life except for Ama. Nature offers her an outlet, an outlet to the complications she seems to experience within her family. Within her own mind, Omishto personifies her natural surroundings, maybe as a way of replacing the relationships she lacks with the actual people in her world. On the very first page, she tells us that "the earth was bleeding". On page 21, she describes "a cloud, heavy and thick, laying itself down on us, muting the sounds of the land."

Omishto's life has become all about observing and watching the world, describing it in ways that bring meaning to the things that others often fail to see or appreciate. Omishto's descriptions of nature are beautiful and intrigue the reader by providing them with vivid images within their own minds. "It is beautiful here, this place I call mine, where clouds are born from water" (2). Nature plays such an important role in defining Omishto's identity, that she describes it in such a way that does not downplay its importance. The descriptions capture not only the beauty of nature, but they also reflect the underlying meaning that Omishto has come to attach to each aspect. This world is the place she can call her own, and she shares it with us in the way that she presents it to us. Through this, the reader develops more of an appreciation for their natural surroundings and is invited to recognize the power and significance of nature within their own lives.

Lucy's Struggle with Displacement

Throughout the novel, it is evident that Lucy often feels out of place in her American home. However, it is also evident that she has no desire to return home to her family in the islands -- as we get the impression that Lucy did not feel as though she belonged there either. As Lucy struggles to find her true identity, we realize that it can really only be uncovered by discovering where she belongs in the world. Displacement is this innate feeling of being someplace uncomfortable or unfamiliar. This describes the way that Lucy feels in her home in the States. At one point, she sings herself to sleep, "Put yourself in my place, if only for a day; see if you can stand the awful emptiness inside" (8) It seems as though Lucy left her home in search of something more -- something that goes beyond the monotonous life with her family. However, Lucy has not yet found that place or feeling she has been searching for - that one place where she can feel at ease and comfortable with herself as a person.

Towards the beginning of the novel, Lucy tells us, "I was only an unhappy young woman living in a maid's room, and I was not even the maid. I was the young girl who watches over the children and goes to school at night" (7). Clearly, Lucy has a negative self image, as she struggles to find herself in the midst of so many people who treat her as if she does not belong. Lucy describes the many people that just do not relate to her, and also tells of the people that dislike her for simple, irrelevant things (such as the way she talks). These are the people that contribute to her negative sense of self and keep her from finding that place she can call her own.

In my own experience, the feeling of displacement can only be removed when others take the initiative to include you in the new environment. Throughout my life, I have lived in four different states. The feeling of displacement became common to me, but always faded as others began to include me in their everyday lives. Soon, the unfamiliar place was not so distant to me -- it became a place that I could call home. As I began to get comfortable in the new place, I began to learn things about myself and to develop positive aspects regarding my overall sense of self.

I feel that this is what Lucy is so desperately in need of. In order for her to overcome her feelings of displacement, she needs someone that will make her feel at home -- someone she can relate to, and someone that does not make her feel as though she does not belong. Lucy also needs someone that will contribute positively to her sense of self. Only then will she truly find a place she can call home.

Identity or Identities?

       The question that arose in class that was of particular interest to me was the one dealing with the debate on whether or not we can have two identities - or is there always a pressure to choose between one or the other? I am currently struggling with this issue in my own life, and often find myself asking whether or not I can continue to be both things.  

       In high school, I began dating someone that was in college.  Being a part of two different worlds seemed only temporary - because that following year I would be able to join him at school and become a part of the same world.  We would be able to share in more experiences together and grow closer.  Little did I know that my life would change drastically that following year ...

Currently, my boyfriend is enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  He left for K9 training in San Antonio, Texas the week of our spring break.  He will remain there until June and then be stationed on a military base until he is shipped out to Afghanistan by the end of the year - where he will spend the following 7 months fighting.  The next four years of my life I will spend little time with Ryan.  Although it seems that I have assumed an identity that does not fit well with the identity of college student at 19, both identities have become such a significant part of me that I could never bring myself to choose between them. 

       The reason that this relates to the initial question is that fact one of my most domineering identities is that of Marine's girlfriend. However, I have to learn to balance that with my other identity as first year college student.  While my family and friends push me to experience the fullness of the college life and to take advantage of every opportunity, I find it difficult to just go out and have a good time knowing that Ryan cannot do the same.  There will always be that part of me that wants to be carefree and just have fun with my friends, being social and having no ties to anything serious.  I know, however, that this is not the right path for me because I cannot picture my life without Ryan.  I am committed to both identities because together, they make me who I am - and I refuse to allow anything to come between that. 

    In response to the initial question, I believe that a person can assume two identities and remain committed to both.  There will always be those outside pressures, trying to persuade you to come to a decision.  And as humans, to rid our lives of all that is complicated seems like the easier road to take at times.  However, what many fail to realize is the fact that life is all about the challenge and overcoming the many hardships we are faced with at any given time.  Defining our true identity means acknowledging our positive emotions and learning to accept difficulty with open arms. Regardless, we have to learn to balance the identities we chose and the ones that happen without our knowledge. I chose to go to college, but I also happened to care for someone who had to grow up quicker than I did. We will always be pulled in different directions, testing our boundaries, uncovering more identities--but these remind us of what defines humanity: we have the capacity to be more than ordinary, so take advantage of that and don't run from the things that make you who you are. 

       

Do Opposites Attract?

       Twinkle and her husband Sanjeev were recently married, and they are just moving into their new home - a place where they will begin their life together.  From the very beginning, we sense tension in the way the couple speaks to one another.  

     Twinkle, on the one hand, is curious and open minded about the exciting religious statues and pictures that she keeps finding within her new home.  She wonders about the previous owners and what these items must have meant to them.  She ponders the thought that they may have left these items in "an attempt to convert people." Sanjeev is less than amused ... "Now, look", he says, "I will tolerate, for now, your little biblical menagerie in the living room.  But I refuse to have this displayed in our home."  

       It is obvious to the reader that Sanjeev and Twinkle just do not share the same viewpoints on certain things.  It's the little things that really seem to irritate one spouse about the other. Twinkle is a very easy going person - she is imaginative, curious, and spends a lot of time doing things her own way.  She does not use recipes when cooking meals, and she drops ashes on the ground when she smokes her cigarettes.  The couple, now well into the second month of their marriage, appear to be complete opposites that do not attract.  Sanjeev hates that fact that Twinkle spits a little when she speaks, and that fact that she tends to leave her undergarments at the foot of their bed, among other things.  The only thing that the two seem to have in common is their Hindu faith - but even Twinkle begins to stray a little from that.

       What I find most interesting about this couple is the fact that, as newlyweds, they cannot seem to agree on anything.  Sanjeev seems to make the little things into the big things and he can not stand the differences found between them.  It is as if they are trapped in a marriage and a home with no where to go.  They only have each other, but even that proves to be a struggle. This story goes against the cliche that tries to tell us that opposites attract.  It is possible that this cliche can hold true for some, but the relationship between Sanjeev and Twinkle is one of constant struggle and a search for common ground.  What we cannot forget in this, however, is that fact that marriage, in and of itself, is a constant struggle.  No matter how in love two people are with one another, there will always be those underlying differences that exist between either spouse.  So we must be reminded that a successful marriage is not without its hardships - we must learn to accept the differences and to reach an understanding about sharing a life together.  

     Although Sanjeev seems to have valid arguments at times regarding Twinkle's behavior, he must learn to communicate better in the relationship.  With the amount of tension that continues to build between them, it makes us wonder how far they will inevitably grow apart from one another if they continue to live like the present.  Both Sanjeev and Twinkle need to learn to acknowledge that marriage is hard and that each needs to work to compromise in any given situation so that success works its way into their future together. 

Shakespeare & The Modern World

      In the last two class periods, we have been discussing the importance of the modern films that have been based on the story plots of Shakespeare's works from the past.  The idea of this 'universal Shakespeare' really got me thinking about the role these films play in the modern world and how much the themes can be applied to our lives today.  Back in the time of Shakespeare, these same themes were considered for mature audiences.  The content was made for and understood mainly by adults.  This idea made me take a step back and realize how much times have changed, and how much these themes are becoming more prevalent among teens, in addition to adults. 

       The concepts of passion and jealousy are found in our everyday lives and in our modern world.  These concepts were part of relationships in the past, and will continue into the future as well.  Initially, Shakespeare's works were performed and presented close to the original text. However, as time went on, the texts have become more modernized.  This modernization of Shakespeare opens our eyes to the fact that famous historical works are still applicable to our everyday lives.  I feel that the modern films, including 'O', Ten Things I Hate About You, etc., really serve to capture this reality.  Learning about Shakespeare and studying his works offers so much more to us than just a simple English or History lesson.  In this, we are able to look past the language, and focus on the underlying message of the work being revealed to us. We become more aware of the dangers of jealousy and love.  We learn about life and the modern world from works of the past -- offering us a much greater reward.

       The whole idea of the intended audience really interests me and got me thinking about these works as well.  As the modern versions of Shakespeare's works continue to be produced, it is evident that most films are intended for teen audiences.  Is this meant to be a reflection of the changing times or is this meant to serve as the most effective way to make a profit?  Typically, teen audiences are portrayed as the biggest supporters of the growing world of entertainment.  Many teens strive to act and dress in response to what they see on the screen.  However, it must also be noted that as times change, the modern world of entertainment is exposing younger audiences to themes considered extremely mature in the past.  Teens today are 'growing up' at a faster pace than the teens of the past.  Relationships are placing more pressure on the importance of the physical, as well as the emotional, aspects.  Passion and jealousy now applies to the kinds of relationships teens are finding themselves in today. 

       So which is it? Is the world of entertainment the main component that is exposing teens to more mature themes at earlier times than in the past? Or is the entertainment world simply a reflection of the things that teens are being exposed to in the modern world, but not the actual source?

        

      

The Darker Side of Love

Love is a concept that is often presented as a one-dimensional emotion that we associate with ultimate goodness. It is a word used to describe deep emotional bonds shared between individuals, and serves as a representation of many emotions in their most amplified form. There are many stages and various meanings that have come to define love, but all seem to reflect a positive theme of personal happiness. What some fail to recognize or acknowledge is the idea that love has a dark side, which counteracts the traditional take on the emotion itself. I feel that Othello introduces this dark side of love to its audience. The characters see how love can bring out jealousy and a need for revenge. This is portrayed in the relationship between Othello and Desdemona -- which ultimately presents love as a means to destruction and death.

The relationship between Desdemona and Othello was conflicted from the very beginning. This was the case because no one could understand or accept the mutual love that was shared between them. Iago knows how strong their love for each other is, and he uses this as his means to seek revenge on Othello. He does this by breaking the mutual trust that is initially present in their relationship. Although the relationship between Cassio and Desdemona is honest, the fear of her dishonesty consumes Othello's mind and leads him to do things that are completely out of character -- things he would never see himself capable of doing in a right frame of mind.

The thought of love often clouds our ability to think logically in the midst of our everyday lives. So although love is often associated with the positive aspects of life, including the things that we desire most, it can lead to the fear of loss and deception. As Othello has presented to us, love can lead to destruction in the sense that it is vulnerable and easily influenced by outside forces present in the world. Although love in its purest form is beautiful and innocent, the evil that is found in the natural world has a tendency to come between that love and to taint it to the point of no return. In reading the play, we uncover and expose the dark side of love, watching Othello subject himself to the influence of the outside world and allowing evil to overcome his heart and destroy his sincere love for Desdemona.

Is What You See Always What You Get?

Trust is often a concept that we only take time to consider after it has been betrayed. Humans tend to attribute trust with power and responsibility, as opposed to individual character and personal nature. Outward appearances and personal reputations often offer the most insight as to who is trusted and who is not in the broad picture of society.

Power comes into the picture with trust when, in actuality, the two often times conflict one another. For example, members of a nation place the most trust in their leaders because they trust them to run the country for the betterment of the people. However, there have been so many instances in the past where politicians have deceived the public for their own personal gain. They use manipulation to win the trust of the people, but secretly have their own selfish motives. It becomes hard to know who to trust in society and in life in general. It is easier for us to take on the viewpoints of others in regards to trusting an individual, than it is to take the time to form our own opinions about them.

Othello is a perfect example of the fault in associating trust and honesty with power and responsibility. Iago is the most vindictive character. He allows jealousy to overcome him, and uses manipulation to bring down those around him that were closest to him. Because Iago is a respected man in the society as a whole, the characters trust his word without hesitation. With power comes the ability and opportunity to deceive, and Iago takes advantage of this fact. Although he is evil on the inside, the act that he portrays to those around him is enough to get them to trust him in every sense. They begin to see things that are not true in actuality. For example, Iago is able to use his reputation to trick Othello into believed that Desdemona was unfaithful to him.

With instances of broken trust that lead to destruction, it becomes hard for us to know who to trust and when. The idea of trust is a difficult one to grasp, because every time it is betrayed, we become more and more hesitant to trust someone in the future. We tend to confuse those worthy of our trust from those unworthy because manipulation can often appear in the form of sincerity, as the character of Iago demonstrates.

The best thing that we can do is to learn to trust people for ourselves, and not base it on what others tell us or what society as a whole convinces us to believe. Acknowledging the fact that deception is prevalent within the world should cause us to open our minds and to trust people for reasons that go beyond power and responsibility.

Girl, Interrupted...

As I watched Girl, Interrupted for the second time, I began to look more closely at the role and background of Susanna Kaysen, analyzing the way that the title of the film directly applies to her life. As the film opens, Susanna has reached her breaking point. She has taken a large dose of aspirin in an attempt to end her life before it has really even started. As we look back on her past, we learn that Susanna was the only one in her graduating class that had decided not to attend college the following year. We also learn that she had slept with the husband of a close family friend. Susanna's future was uncertain to both her and to those around her. Her life was in desperate need of some change, some form of interruption that would allow her to put her life on the right track.

To me, the 'Interruption' initially refers to Susanna's failed suicide attempt, followed by her 18 month stay at the Claymore psychiatric institution. After she has been revived and released from the hospital, it is evident that Susanna has been given a second chance at life. The suicide served as her necessary interruption, and her admittance into Claymore is her opportunity to turn her life around and to give it some meaning.

As the plot continues to unfold, we learn that Susanna has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and depression. Claymore is the second 'Interruption' in her life, stemming from the suicide. In this, Susanna is able to find herself and to overcome her many challenges. She finally begins to appreciate life and makes the effort to get better. She finds her relief and voice by writing in her journal. Susanna begins to express what she is feeling, and isn't afraid or reluctant to think about her future.

When Susanna is released from Claymore after 18 months. she is a new person, anxious to begin living for something. She intends to continue her writing, work at a part-time job (for the time being), and live on her own. Therefore, it can be concluded that Susanna's breaking point interrupted her and caused her to rethink the way she had been living her life. She was a 'Girl, Interrupted', that took advantage of an opportunity to change her life for the better, and actually found direction and purpose.

Who Takes the Blame?

In Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper", the question arises about whether or not writing is the source of the narrator's conflicted mental state. For me, writing is meant to serve as a release; it is a way for me to formulate my own thoughts into words. As I had mentioned in a previous blog, my thoughts are pieces of information floating around in my mind, and writing is the way in which I can make some sense of these knowledgeable facts. However, I have always had the freedom to write my thoughts down and express them in a simple way. The modern world presents me with so many opportunities to express my opinions to the outside world, that having to suppress them would be indescribable.

The narrator, however, has this restriction imposed upon her in which writing is not a freedom she is entitled to practice. In her time, writing was not something that women were freely privileged to do. So, even though writing is meant to be used as an expression of thoughts and ideas, the narrator may find it to be more of a hardship than a luxury. Keeping her writing a secret takes away from the significance of it because she is only able to admit to herself how she feels.

When I write something down, I enjoy the feedback that I get from my audience, and this helps me look at my ideas in a more complex way or in a different light. The narrator, however, never gets to share her work with anyone. Her writing becomes more of a burden than a release because she is obligated to keep it from the world, even from those closest to her. Having to hide your true feelings from those around you would be hard enough, but having to hide the one way that your organize your thoughts and structured reflections would serve as an even more difficult burden to bear. So who or what is to blame for the narrator's conflicted mental state? Is it the burden of having to hide her written thoughts that drives her mad, or is it the writing that actually helps her cope with her already established conflicted state of mind?

Life Fiction

Growing up, I was always taught that fiction was the kind of writing that was meant more for one's own personal entertainment than for conveying truth. Truth was defined to me as facts, or concrete knowledge that could not be disproved. However, over the years, I have come to see truth in a different light.

In A Room of One's Own, Virginia Woolf makes the statement that, "Fiction here is likely to contain more truth than fact." I strongly agree with this statement. Truth is more of a personal understanding; it is knowledge that has been gained or understood within an individuals mind over the course of their lifetime. We constantly search for truth within our everyday lives -- truths about the world and those around us, as well as truths about ourselves and our direction in life.

Fiction serves as a means to finding truth. Though the characters or story plot may not be based on actual facts, fiction allows us to look passed the definite details and enables us to focus more on the message being conveyed within the work. In this, we are now able to view fiction as a means to obtaining a greater form of truth. This kind of truth moves beyond the little details that mean nothing to us as individuals. Truth can vary from person to person and is open for disagreement and discussion. Life, in and of itself, is uncertain so what would make us think that the things that define it have to be certain?

Pieces of the Puzzle

       For me, writing is like a puzzle just waiting to be tackled and completed.  In our minds, there are hundreds of structureless thoughts floating around. These thoughts lack direction and make little sense when analyzed on an individual basis, much like the individual pieces of a puzzle. Writing is a way to turn our thoughts into something more than a jumbled mess. Like pieces of a puzzle, our thoughts come together to form a coherent image or idea. There is only one way these pieces, or thoughts, fit together to most effectively project the main idea upon the observer. Although there may be many attempts at accomplishing our ultimate goal of completion, the final outcome is worth the time and effort. In the end, we feel a sense of success and achievement for having constructed something logical out of something so initially disorganized.