A translator’s role is a nuanced commodity that undoubtedly facilitates both literature and languages. Yet, it has the baggage of Semantics and Etymology because without them, much can be lost in the translation. One word can mean many different things depending on the language and where it’s been said, at what time, and by whom. Throw in the added difficulty of perception, and you'll have translations varying in interpretations. Even in English, there are words called homonyms that sound the same and are spelled the same, and still, they differ in meaning.
This complexity doesn’t just end with words; it continues with phrases or even sentences. For example, saying the phrase "shooting your shot" in a bar should not be taken literally because, based on the context here, it means taking a chance with someone you fancy. Now, if the same sentence was said in a shooting range, no one would have interpreted it any other way. This example might be a bit mundane, but it explains the core of the title.
Translations are an important branch of literature as they help people understand the thoughts and ideologies of foreign lands and cultures. It creates awareness in readers about the speakers of the language and brings them together through literature, as many believe that a country's literature is the mirror of its history, culture, and values. Translators make literature accessible to more readers and are somewhat the bridges among cultures. A good translator will be able to retain the intention of the writer and narrator until the very end with remarkable consistency.
The most convoluted case of translation-interpretation is religious texts, especially the bible. Perception and context make the whole of its translation, leaving room for individual interpretation. Compared to English, the languages of most religious texts is ancient and have gone through centuries of change that a modern-day translator can hardly do justice to its Semantics. Translators dealing with religious texts mostly use notes and context of the old translations, deeming them more historically accurate. Still, it doesn’t mean that new translations of religious texts are just replicas of old ones because perception can very well interfere with the interpretations.
While the freedom to interpret the translated text as per perception provides flexibility in ideas, it threatens the credibility of original ideas. Despite being open to interpretation in some cases, the bible isn't entirely dependent on its reader's whims. But anyone with authority and influence can convince the masses to accept their self-serving interpretations, and history bears witness that this claim is not far from reality.
To put it simply, there is no denying that translating religious or any kind of texts without context can open doors for a plethora of different interpretations. A translation uncertain in its intention can land flat on the reader’s understanding, forcing them to pull meaning out of thin air. And while translation with clear intentions is imperative, sometimes it fails to yield the desired outcome because when it comes to interpretation, people rely on their knowledge and perception more than others unless they deem someone with more intellect than them.
The old and new testaments and the many versions of the bible prove how interpretation can interfere with translation and create entirely new versions of the same text. Cletis McMurty’s “Is that really in the bible?” expounds on the conundrum of choosing between these versions. The author primarily considers the bible as any other book instead of a religion’s rule book, and that helped him gain a personal perspective on its texts. Of course, understanding the book without its religious context was impossible, but his stance on translations affecting understanding and interpretation is conveyed exceptionally.
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