Imagination as a Decolonial Tool: An Analysis of the Coloniality of Translation, Imagination, and the Theology of Rubem Alves

Abstract

[Figure: see text] This article analyzes Xiang's coloniality of translation in connection with Alves’ theology and other decolonial scholars in order to recognize the limitations of Eurocentric language and to highlight the urgent need to contextualize and de-absolutize gender concepts. It provides a brief overview of decolonial thinking and then delves into the coloniality of translation, emphasizing the potential dangers of appropriating Indigenous philosophies within European frameworks. Xiang's analysis reveals that translating Nahua gender concepts into English limits their rich complexities and cultural significance, perpetuating Eurocentric understandings. Xiang's work exemplifies how European world views infiltrate decolonial discourses, replicating dominant Eurocentric norms. Alves’ theology comes into play, emphasizing the need to liberate human imagination from limiting colonial logics. By advocating for a renewed imagination beyond colonial constraints, Alves opens up diverse and dynamic possibilities for theological thinking. Finally, I argue for the use of Alves’ concept of imagination as a decolonial tool, challenging the colonial configurations embedded within words and the social imaginary they create. I argue that embracing a continuous process of re-imagining fosters a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and potentialities present in diverse cultures. Simultaneously this article underscores the necessity of decolonial thinking as a never-ending project, urging scholars to engage with alternative knowledges and constantly challenge and subvert colonial logics within theological discourses.