Translation as Relation and Glissant's Work

Abstract

In her article "Translation as Relation and Glissant's Work" Sandra Bermann proposes that in today's complex world of migration, war, and globalization, translation among languages and cultures is everywhere evident. Indeed, as citizens of the twenty-first century, we inevitably think in and through translation. Yet we have only begun to explore its contemporary modes of operation, its challenges, and its promise for study. Bermann suggests ways to think about translation — its difficulties, as well as its promise. Looking first to some traditional views of translation, Bermann then turns to particular ways in which it might be recast in terms of relation, dialogue, and analogy. She considers the potential of this more pragmatic way of "thinking translation" for contemporary ideas about language and literary dissemination. Important to this perspective is the work of the Caribbean poet, novelist, and theorist Edouard Glissant. Bermann examines a few of Glissant's salient insights and their pertinence to the questions she raises in her study. Bermann argues that Glissant's ideas can expand our understanding of the role translation might play in the world today and in the future.