The politics of interpretation

Part of our mind is capable of processing information enabling us to communicate our thoughts in many different ways and contents. İnterpretation and translation of all thoughts which are too wide for any one discipline, requires specialized knowledge of that specific field, literature and its context both in source and target languages.

Nonetheless, translation always contains nuances and subjective interpretations while transferring aspects of the other to the receptor and receiving cultures. Hence, translators, are positioned on the edges of divided cultures, communities and groups. Translators find themselves representing both sides, acting as cultural/political/societal negotiators.

İn democracies communication and knowledge is configurated as a central aspect of power. Since power can be assumed as the ability to act upon power holders, hence, translators find themselves representing the institutions in power and those seeking empowerment both within and across borders, hence, subject to the scrutiny for personal and politicolinguistic fidelity to interpret the true account of what people are saying. Fidelity to power holder becomes infidelity to the other, while, of course, the power holder's relationship is often purely instrumental.

'Translation thus is not simply an act of faithful reprodection but, rather a deliberate and conscious act of selection, assemblage, stucturation, and fabrication and even of falification, refusal of information counterfeiting, and the creation of codes.' (1)

This is most sensitive in legal matters when statements can change life and fortune. The purpose of giving legal aid is for some one who is in advererial side, hence, one of defining feature of interpretation and translation is for the interpreter to remain impartial giving unbiased wording and not to take sides.

When translating for a legal advisor it is important not to take control of the situation for the impression that the translator knows all the facts and is aware of the truth. While the translator find herself/himself interpreting cultural issues, impartiality need to be kept in check. İt is crucial not to add your opinion or leading and directing for or against the client when interpreting statements.

Here, four kinds of interpretations are configurated:
- Consecutive which comes when interpretation involves equipments
- Summary where important facts need only to be said without adding any personal judgement. The specialized field has sensitive facts that might not be apparent to the translator which might result in omitting important aspects of the statements.
- Verbalim is to take caution to say just as much as the client has said and not trying to represent the client or give additional explanation
- Simultaneous which is leteraly doing the translation at the same time when client is giving her/his words




(1) Translation and power, Univ of Massachussetts Press, 2002





İf the construction of the unconditionally perfect burrow is intimately related to the discovery of definite truths and forms, it also involves the pursuit of absolute silence because it is only in eternal stillness that the constructor could be completely assured of his total control over it.


Kafka, 1971, 'The Burrow'