Now In English! "The Rehearsal of Misunderstanding"

Title: The Rehearsal of Misunderstandings: Three Collections by Contemporary Greek Women Poets

Original Authors: Rhea Galanaki, Jenny Mastoraki, Maria Laina.

Translator: Karen Van Dyck

On April 27, 1967, a group of colonels in Greece took control of the government and installed a dictatorship that would last until 1974. During this period free expression was harshly surpressed. That did not, however, stop writers and artists from speaking out and practising their craft. And this collection of Greek poetry edited and translated by Karen Van Dyck's showcases women's poetry during the Junta.

Build Your Portfolio As Novice - Part 2

Last time we dealt with the research-focused aspects about building a solid portfolio as a novice. In this section, we'll discuss how to put together an action plan.

Build Your Portfolio As A Novice - Part 1

Having only recently graduated college, I am still living through that "transition" period - partially because I was a liberal arts major, and mostly because I have varied interests and projects. But whether I am working on translation or web development, I still need one thing to get my career going - a portfolio.

The concept is nothing new  - but my experience has been in the art world. So now that I'm experimenting in a different venue, I've written down a method that I (and others) can reuse when trying to figure out how to start their portfolio without much experience.

There are general tips: use whatever you already have, for example. But there are many cases (especially if changing careers), when you may need to create a few new items.

Four Myths About Translated Scripture

Still a powerful player in the world at large, religion - and therefore religious texts - takes on quite a bit of scrutiny. And it should, as a sphere of influence. But regardless of whether it affects the globe or the individual, religion (at least in the mainstream) tends to revolve around sacred texts. 

Translated books - even scriptures - are far
more complicated than you think!

Among the Abrahamic religions, we have the Torah, the Bible, the Qu'ran. Hinduism has an even wider variety, among the most important are the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita (one book out of the Mahabharata). Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Shinto - you'll find a central text, perhaps among many others, within each of these sects.

However, it's important to remember that religious scriptures must often be translated in order to be understood - especially for those with an ancient origin. Most people understand the necessity of this - after all, not everyone can understand ancient Greek or Aramaic, Arabic or Sanskrit. Still, it's not something we often think about.

But can you really just pull a Bible from the bookshelf and read it?

My answer certainly shouldn't surprise you, given my past articles. The fact is this: Any translated text contains more context, more culture, and more history than we are aware of as the recipient. A religious text is no different. If the stories read "easy", it's because the translator worked hard to make it so. But don't get comfortable and let yourself be slipped up by these myths: