Short-Form: Walter Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator"

The philosopher Walter Bendix Schoenflies Benjamin was born on July 15, 1892 to an assimilated Jewish family in Berlin. While a bulk of his writings is directed towards exploring history and art, he also wrote about translation.

“The Task of the Translator” is dense, packed full of complex theory. It wouldn't be difficult write a dissertation based on one or two lines of the text.

This, however, will not be a dissertation. Instead, I’ll summarize and try to explain the most basic elements of Benjamin’s theory. Granted, it's nearly impossible, and it would be very easy to write a thesis on one or two lines from this article. Keeping that in mind, let's dive into the basics...

The Lingo

• Translatability – something significant in the original that manifests in translation, essential. This is described to be almost inherit in the text, for as long as it exists – or if someone wants it to exist – it should be translated, even if there is no suitable translator. An example might be the Bible, or the Quran. While one might have the linguistic capabilities, many say it is impossible to truly translate the word of God without corrupting it.

• Afterlife – life of the original that is extended in translation. A text is typically given this afterlife due to fame.
• Pure language – the idealized language that is behind and connects all other languages. The mystical and universal spirit of language. Keep in mind, that the word “pure” here does not denote any language that is known to man, nor is it a supremacist view of language.

• Intention – why we say what we say, and why we say it differently. This is divided into two distinct categories:
• What is meant: general idea ‘e.g.: bread’
• Way of meaning: context (what bread looks like in France, Germany, and the US (pain, brot, bread).

What He Says 

“Translation thus ultimately serves the purpose of expressing the innermost relationship of languages to our answer. It cannot possibly reveal or establish this hidden relationship itself; but it can represent it by realizing it in embryonic or intensive form.” - 6

Thus

Translation is an art form all its own. Multiple translations allow us to get a glimpse of the universal pure language. No one language is complete. This is they intentions are so hard to pin down, especially of the author. Translatability is a prime factor. The key to what is translatable is its significance.

How It Matters 

So, what does all this mean for translators? For the readers? Briefly, I should say above all, Benjamin’s description of translation reveals much about the arbitrariness of human language (way of meaning) versus the real objects (what is meant), but also about the joy of language.

Benjamin ends his essay by noting that reading an interlinear version of a text is ideal. Why? Because having an interlinear translation will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of all languages, and hone in “pure language”.

His theory also suggests at different translations. The pure language and reinterpretations of the original’s intention (let alone the translator), allows for a variety of texts all revealing something else about the original. Again, this may be that “pure language” shining through.

In other words, Benjamin highlights the importance of various translations, our universality in our ability to cross borders linguistically and be connected by a higher thought.

Interested in more theory? Check out my post on Jorge Luis Borges.