As you may remember, this is how Sofia Coppola’s film is called, which was gone on screen in 2003. The theme is not only about experiencing difficulties of translating from Japanese to English, but, obstacles of communicating and understanding each other, in general.
Indeed, even if people speak the “same language” (Armenian), they may not understand each other, in particular, because they belong to different cultural groups. Yesterday, for example, my 7-year-old daughter and I were trying to watch the film “Little Commander” film (modern Armenian “remake” of O. Henry’s famous story “The Ransom of Red Chief”, also famous Soviet Union wonderful film directed by L. Gaidai 1962). We could not watch more than 15 minutes, because we did not understand exactly what was funny there. However, people is the crowded hall were laughing, hence, the “language” of the film and the humor was understood by the audience.
When we “translate” a “text” (which can be described not only in words), we try to “adapt” the characters perceived by the senses with our understanding, in the scope of our experience. It is a well-known case. In early 1950s, Chinese scientists were conducted some excavations at the American “Midwest”. Residents of provincial town applied to the law enforcement doubting that the Japanese spies are seeking missile bases. It is clear: people in their lifetime had seen very little of Japanese and Chinese, they were not distinguishing them from each other, they had perceived the archeology tools as spy devices, and the post-war propaganda had convinced them that the people with Japanese appearance are enemies.
Another example of “wrong translation”. Suppose I write: “It has been a month since it is cold in Yerevan.” There is a group of readers, which interprets it as follows: “So, are you in favor of Serzh’s power last forever,” and this rebuke-question, in various formulations, is posted in the comments section of our website. Because, this is what these readers are concerned about, this is what they want to read in all texts.
Therefore, translation, in a wide range of its meaning, is reproduction of any text within own perceptions, knowledge, often, stereotypes, and sometimes, obsession of mind. Naturally, a good understanding and translating assumes constant expansion of experience, and world outlook, and overcoming stereotypes. Should I know what the criminal world is living with, I would understand the meaning of film “Little Commander”. Should provincial Americans of 50’s be aware of how archaeologists are working, they would not doubt the expedition in espionage. Should the aforesaid readers of “Aravot” be aware that in addition to “Serzh’s power” there are much more interesting and important things in the world, they would better understand what I have written.
Translation had and has a special importance for us, Armenians and it is not accidental that we have a Translators’ Day. Translation, with its literally narrow and broad meaning. In other words, critically assimilate foreign texts (I repeat, not only verbal) and fit them into our thinking, our linguistic and cultural realities. We will continue talking about this a week later, in the next analysis.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
Should the aforesaid readers of “Aravot” be aware that in addition to “Serzh’s power” there are much more interesting and important things in the world, they would better understand what I have written.
