Translation Challenges in Jamel Brinkley’s Short Story "Witness"

Abstract

Translation plays a crucial role in bridging different cultures and fostering understanding between nations. It enables the exchanging of ideas, knowledge, and innovations, providing access to education, literature, and global communication. Without translation and already translated material, many opportunities for collaboration, learning, and progress would be lost. Furthermore, translation is of paramount importance in preserving and disseminating cultural heritage, ensuring that important literary works remain accessible to future generations across linguistic boundaries. According to Toury (1995), „translation is a kind of activity which inevitably involves at least two languages and two cultural traditions, i.e. at least two sets of norm-systems on each level“ (Toury, 1995, p. 56). There are different types of translation, such as oral, written, machine, audio, and more. Each of them has its characteristics and is suited for different purposes and contexts. Written translation unites a wide range of texts, including literary, technical, legal, medical and financial texts. Translation, particularly in the realm of fictional works, presents a unique set of challenges due to the complex interplay of language, culture, and narrative structure. Fictional texts are not merely linguistic constructs; they embody cultural nuances/traits, emotional depth, and stylistic devices that are often deeply rooted in the source language. The translation of such texts requires not only linguistic proficiency but also a profound understanding of the cultural context and the emotional resonance that the original text conveys.

According to Gentzler (2001) over the last twenty years, two key changes in theoretical developments in translation theory have emerged: first is the shift from source-oriented theories to target-text-oriented theories and the second one includes cultural factors as well as linguistic elements in the translation training models (Gentzler, 2001, p.70 cited in Kuhiwczak&Littau, 2007, p.15).

In A Companion to Translation Studies, Kuhiwczak and Littau (2007) argue that translation serves as an ideal „laboratory situation“ for studying cultural interaction. By comparing the original text with its translation, one can not only observe the techniques employed by translators at certain moments, but also reveal and identify the different roles the target texts play in their literary systems. Additionally, the comparison reveals how the two cultural systems represented in the texts are interconnected to each other (Kuhiwczak & Littau, 2007, p.19).

Like every separate field of science, translation theories and practices have continuously developed over time. As new theories emerge and strategies are refined, translation practices are constantly being adapted to meet the demand of a globalized world. “A further example of the cultural turn in translation studies has been the expansion of research into norms governing translation strategies and techniques. Gideon Toury (1978; 1995), Andrew Chesterman (1993), and Theo Hermans (1999b), in particular, have sought to explore translational norms in terms of not only textual conventions but also cultural expectations. Toury is explicit about the cultural importance of norms in translation: Translation activities should be regarded as having cultural significance. Consequently, ‘translatorship’ amounts first and foremost to being able to play a social role, i.e. to fulfil a function allotted by a community – to the activity, its practitioners, and/or, and Theo Hermans (1999b), in particular, have sought to explore translational norms in terms of not only textual conventions but also products – in a way which is deemed appropriate in its terms of reference. The acquisition of a set of norms for determining the suitability of that kind of behaviour and for manoeuvring between all the factors which may constrain it, is therefore a prerequisite for becoming a translator within a cultural environment“ (Toury, 1978, p 83 cited in Kuhiwczak & Littau, 2007, p.18);

This article explores the challenges involved in translating the short stories Witness and Infinite Happiness by American writer Jamel Brinkley. The study explores the strategies and methods employed to maintain the original ideas while adapting the text to the Georgian cultural context. Notably, these literary works are not translated into Georgian; therefore, the translations of analyzed passages presented in this study are original and were done by the author of the study.