Are we dependent on a translator's interpretation? Can we assume the translation is transparent and accurate? Or not? Do we want a LITERAL translation? Or one that interprets?
ORIGINAL
Als Gregor Samsa eines Morgens aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte, fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheuren Ungeziefer verwandelt. |
LITERAL
As Gregor Samsa one morning from restless dreams awoke, found he himself in his bed into an enormous vermin transformed. |
Now let's look at four translators' versions of this sentence:
WILLA/EDWIN MUIR
As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. |
J. A. UNDERWOOD
Gregory Samsa woke from uneasy dreams one morning to find himself changed into a giant bug. |
STANLEY APPELBAUM
When Gregor Samsa awoke from troubled dreams one morning he found that he had been transformed in his bed into an enormous bug. |
JOACHIM NEUGROSCHEL
One morning, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his bed, transformed into a monstrous vermin. |
When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin. (trans. Stanley
One morning, as Gregor Samsa was waking up from anxious dreams, he discovered that in bed he had been changed into a monstrous verminous bug. (trans. Ian Johnson)
Which translation seem best? Bug or Vermin? Restless or Anxious dreams?
How can we trust the translator?
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Should the translator merely translate literally? Or interpret (match the meaning of the original)?
WHAT IF YOU WOKE UP AS A VERMIN?
Write follow-up questions to keep the conversation going. Also, find one quote in the text that you want to read aloud to the group to discuss.
- MENTAL HABITS: Find several examples of how Gregor’s habits of thinking continue despite his metamorphosis. What does this indicate about Gregor’s mental state? Can you imagine what he thinks about day in and day out? What if your thoughts were like that? What if you thoughts remained in the same patterns despite external changes? What would that indicate about a person’s mind?
- GREGOR’S MOTIVES: What drives Gregor? Can you find evidence of different motives for why he works, why he supports his family, why he tries to please people? Do his motives change as the book goes along? What might Kafka be telling us about the reasons we have for acting?
- PHYSICAL DIFFICULTIES: Trace the physical difficulties and adjustments Gregor faces from the opening of the book onward. What is the significance of his physical limitations? His physical injuries? What possible symbolic meanings could these have?
- GREGOR’S RELATIONSHIP TO HIS BOSS AND HIS JOB: How would you characterize Gregor’s relationship with the manager and with his job? Give evidence. How is this different than how you envision your future relationship to your work? What is Kafka saying about the workplace? Is this vision limited to 1915
- GREGOR’S RELATIONSHIPS TO HIS FATHER, MOTHER, AND SISTER: What is Gregor’s relationship to each of his family members? With whom does he have the most conflict? Evidence? Why? With whom is he closest? Evidence? How are his relationships changed by his metamorphosis? Who reacts the most violently? Who with the most sympathy? How do those relationships change over time? What is Kafka saying about family?
- WHAT IF YOU WOKE UP AS A “VERMIN”? Put yourself in Gregor’s shoes. What thoughts would you have if you indulged yourself in habitual patterned thinking or denial? What thoughts would you have if you woke up fully to your new situation? Why doesn’t Gregor have more wakeful and responsive type of thoughts?
8. How does Kafka DEFAMILIARIZE the normal and make it unfamiliar?
