For those whose stories are still unwritten.

As long as there has been language, there has been translation. From oral histories passed on to next generations to the first instances of written accounts, there is an innate human desire to internalize information. And as long as there has been information, there have been gatekeepers, enforcers, that try to monopolize the power of knowledge. 

As described by Jorge Luis Borges, “Translation is always an interpretation, a re-writing, a re-imagining of the source material”. And at its core, it is about access, about inclusion. A work isn’t written in your language? Write it. You don’t see yourself in the narrative? Write it. You notice a voice has been omitted? Write it!

In this portfolio, I explore alternative translations and how the authors reclaimed the written canon as their own. From ancient myth to futuristic identities, I hope to bring different interpretations to the forefront. As you follow through the chapters, know that each piece was intentional, as each word is to a translator. Browse through it in order or don’t–it is your choice to decide how this is read, as is your right.

And for those that wish for a bit more structure, here are some themes and definitions to keep in mind:

• Critiques of translation – Does it remain “true” to the original? What is a translator’s purpose?
•  Critical Fabulation – A term coined by Saidiya Hartman to describe the process of storytelling and extrapolation to revision often omitted histories.
• Human error and its consequences
• Agency, freedom, and creativity
• Confusion  – Embrace what is written between the lines

With that, please enjoy!

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the Humanities Faculty at Davidson College for their support and guidance throughout this process. Thank you for your leadership and knowledge. To my Humes Fellows, I also want to thank you for lending advice. Finally, a special thank you to my middle school Latin teacher, Chris Harrelson, for introducing me to translation and fostering my love of other languages.

Post Script

Header picture provided by Unsplash. All other photos taken by me.