Week 1 Discussion

Week 1 Discussion

by Deleted user -
Number of replies: 6

1. I found the sentence, "The translator must be able to carry the reader across both linguistic and cultural boundaries into a literary space where uncommon idioms, uncommon actions and uncommon events seem commonplace" (xiii) very captivating. An improper translation can disrupt the storyline and message. Somehow, the story must sound normal. Languages and cultures are so complex. Translating is a talent. It fascinates me. If an improper translation is presented, the key concepts of the story are lost, causing readers to become blind to the original significance. Ultimately, translations must be taken seriously. 

2. I think it's interesting that this epic is so prominent in the Southeast Asian/Indian cultures. It is a simple story, yet so intricate. It's embedded with countless messages that guide many today. Although it was written many years ago, it's still applied to modern-day. 

3. I believe it's significant that Rāma is viewed as a "god-man." This is similar to the Christian beliefs of Jesus Christ. He is fully human and fully divine. It's fascinating how interconnected different faiths are. 

Questions: 

1. During this day and age, are many women offended by the submissive character of Sītā? The reading suggests that she is highly devoted to Rāma, but does she have any other role? 

2. How do modern women perceive the part where Laksmana and Rāma destroy Śūrpanakhā's face so Rāma won't be tempted by her? How is this considered "not wrong"? 

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Week 1 Discussion

by Deleted user -
Sam,
I found your points really compelling. In terms of your comment on translation, I completely agree! It reminds me of something I discussed with Dr. Cottrill in another course. We dove deep into understanding that any for of translation is, by nature, interpretive because of the nuances of language and our use of it. I wonder how this translation of the Ramayana is nuanced through its translation even slightly.
In terms of our mutual question of womanhood, it’s really difficult to not approach it with a modern, feminist disdain for the women’s portrayal in the text. I have no idea where to begin trying to strip away my own understanding for that portrayal to seem “right.”

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Week 1 Discussion

by Deleted user -
Sam, I absolutely love what you have to say about translation. I'm always very intrigued about the role it plays in various religions. Sacred texts and religious stories are so important, but the versions we read are often subject to many translations before we get our hands on them and I think it's really important that translators try to keep the intent of the original story when translating. You asked great questions that I'm also very curious about. The role of women in this story seems to be submissive and as far as we've seen they don't have much of a say in their own stories. I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out as we read further.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Week 1 Discussion

by Deleted user -
Sam-- I didn't even make the connection with a fully divine and fully human character. You are definitely right! This is fascinating. I think that as we get deeper into this story we will be able to find a lot more connections like that. I think there will be connections with all religions too. I think it's fascinating to see what's beliefs are so important to a religion that they are shared with another.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Week 1 Discussion

by Deleted user -
Sam! I also found Rama being viewed as a "god-man" so interesting. Sattar explains the importance of him being human and him being divine which I paralleled with people's views of Jesus's divinity and humanness. I also wonder how the story would be different if Rama knew he was Vishnu like in the Christian scriptures Jesus knows he is God?

Also on your question about Sita, I remember in our Religions of Asia class last year when we watched "Sita Sings the Blues" it criticized the submissiveness of Sita which gives at least the creator of that film's opinion on Sita's submissiveness.

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In reply to Deleted user

Re: Week 1 Discussion

by Cole Myers -
I think the part about translation is really important. Languages are extremely complex and translation, in the words of Umberto Eco, is "the art of failure". We will never get the exact meaning. Language is an unwieldy tool. We must work as hard as we can to take into account cultural, historical, and syntactical aspects of both languages to get close to a meaning that gives respect to the original text. This is why most translations of religious texts ultimately fail. They are vested in a specific perspective. Most translations of Chinese texts, for example, were translated by Jesuit missionaries with a vested interest in converting Chinese people to Catholicism. We have to attempt to be unbiased in our translations, despite that being ultimately a task that we all ultimately fail at.

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