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.
I completely agree! I feel as though many things are "lost in translation." I believe that language should be introduced to younger children allowing for the communication to broaden between cultures. I feel as though the rest of the world makes an effort to learn English, but we don't make enough of an effort to learn a foreign language. Perhaps if more people experience what it is like to be "lost in translation," a greater amount of Americans will learn foreign languages.
ReplyDelete