Translation and the dilemmas of cross- cultural research in a development context. Dr Kate Maclean Department of Geography, Environment and Development Studies, Birkbeck, University of London

Lecture Outline Is translation impossible? Particular issues with translation in a post-colonial, development context Translation techniques Translation and deconstruction: citizenship and identity categories A framework for speaking with

Is translation impossible? The ‘Sapir–Whorf hypothesis’ The ‘indeterminacy of translation – Quine 1960 ‘Word and Object’

Colonialism and language

Are we speaking for the ‘other’? Politics of research Politics of language Should we step aside? Are we condemned only to describe?

Translation techniques: Direct Translation Word for word/ dictionary translation Early computer translation programs

Functional Translation What a person from the target language would say in the same situation Learn whole phrases in role plays rather than vocabulary lists Can ‘change register’ – for example from formal to informal

Logic and Rhetoric Spivak, The Politics of Translation “Mahasweta Devi's "Stanadayini” is available in two versions. Devi has expressed approval for the attention to her signature style in the version entitled "Breast-Giver”. The alternative translation gives the title as "The Wet-Nurse," and thus neutralizes the author's irony in constructing an uncanny word; enough like "wet-nurse" to make that sense, and enough unlike to shock.”

‘Difficult’ languages: Aymara and time

Translation and Grounding theory: ‘Indigenous Women’s Citizenship’ Citizenship Race Gender

Untranslatable words ‘This is tumbao culture. Tumbao means that I’ve toppled you, I win, I’m the most important, and if you don’t know that it was me that did it, even better….He is the man, that’s how Pablo worked. That’s how he got what he got, because he was determined to beat everyone else. Ese es el macho, ese es Pablo Escobar’. (Medellín Councillor, Interview, 16 th July 2012) The culture of leadership among political and business leaders was also referred to as tumbao, which is difficult to translate. A related meaning of the word comes from its origins as a Caribbean dance, and it can refer to a particularly confident way of walking – a ‘swagger’ or a ‘strut’ for men, and a certain ‘sway’ for women. At the same time, tumbao can mean a con, or even a robbery, and it is also related to the Spanish verb tumbar, which means to overthrow or knock out. It is associated with another leadership value – being ‘vivo’ - which means being smart, even crafty, and taking advantage of people, preferably without them knowing. (Maclean 2015: )

Translation as a resource ‘Grounding’ ideas/ concepts/ theories Power dynamics Deconstruction, abuse and a groundwork for speaking with

Techniques of translation Back translation Piloting questions/ interview prompts Discussion and collaboration with translators – Taking into account their position/positionality and influence on research interactions – Online fora Making decisions clear

Conclusion Power dynamics, dilemmas and barriers inherent in cross-cultural research Translation and translators can be a resource Good translation practice