An International Game of Telephone: Translation and the Transformation of Ideas

Overview

Objectives/Goals My research showed that a substantial number of the world#s languages belong to the Indo-European language #family,# with various other languages belonging to four additional major #language groups# that share significant common grammatical characteristics. Based on these #family ties# numerous languages can be said to be #related,# and based on these ties, it is expected that a translator can reliably convey ideas across languages. Methods/Materials To test my hypothesis that meaning will survive translation, I routed an original English language description of a sumo wrestler on a pogo-stick through a succession of seven foreign language translations by seven professional translators, until the passage was translated into English once again. Additionally, I requested that each of the translators complete a brief questionnaire regarding the passage and problems with its translation. Results Comparing the English versions and analyzing the questionnaires completed by the translators, I found that the original description was changed significantly in its details, but that the essential character of an #oriental warrior# survived this game of #international telephone.# Conclusions/Discussion The alteration of details was significant, but on a less refined level, an original meaning was conveyed. If on some level we can communicate the question remains whether the imperfections of that communication accurately and fully convey a given idea or "meaning" as the original writer intended. Translation operates to bridge differences and meaning is carried on that bridge and the reviewed commonalities of language groups.

Competition history

• CSEF 2005 Social Sciences (Junior Division Only) · Entry J1710

Resources

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