Earlier Interpretations Research Articles

The Dilemma and Choices of Indirect Translation: The Transformation of Chinese Classical Novels in Europe from the Early Translations of Yu Jiaoli

ABSTRACT Previous studies on the Yu jiaoli 玉嬌梨 (The Two Fair Cousins) often directly compared the English indirect translation with the Chinese original by neglecting the French translation as the intermedia, treating the two translators as one person and collectively referring to them as the “Westerners.” This article reexamines French translation and English indirect translation in the Anglo-French competition in the early 19th century. Influenced by the trend of Academic Sinology established in France and the dominating French way of intellectual trade between China and Europe, the French translation showed more faithfulness than literariness. However, the English translator was faced with the dilemma and choices of translation – relying on Abel-Rémusat’s good reputation and being more faithful to his translation or being deviated from the French translation by intentional mistranslations, abridgment, and deletions of the main text and the paratext under the multiple purposes of economy, politics, business, and culture. The English translator’s unfamiliarity with the Chinese language has inadvertently produced more mistranslations, further increasing the distance from the French translation.

Tracing the “multiple lives” of a national romantic female translator in the early Turkish Republican period: Seniha Sami Moralı

ABSTRACT This article examines Seniha Sami Moralı, a notable yet underrepresented female translator in Turkish translation history. Employing archival methodology, the study conducts a comprehensive investigation of archival documents and related sources to construct a microhistory of Moralı. The aim of the study is to identify and describe her translatorial identity within the socio-cultural and political milieu in which she acted. To this end, the article first presents details about her family and life. It then presents a discussion of her early translation practices against the backdrop of the early Turkish Republican period, suggesting that she adopted a national romantic stance, which influenced her translation practices during the establishment of the new Turkish nation. Lastly, by establishing connections between her translatorial role and other professional positions, the study highlights the interconnectedness of her multiple roles in the pursuit of shaping and preserving what she saw as a unique Turkish identity, which constructs its future by drawing upon its historical foundations.

Hearing what is being said: the distributed neural substrate for early speech interpretation

ABSTRACT Speech comprehension is remarkable for the immediacy with which the listener hears what is being said. Here, we focus on the neural underpinnings of this process in isolated spoken words. We analysed source-localised MEG data for nouns using Representational Similarity Analysis to probe the spatiotemporal coordinates of phonology, lexical form, and the semantics of emerging word candidates. Phonological model fit was detectable within 40–50 ms, engaging a bilateral network including superior and middle temporal cortex and extending into anterior temporal and inferior parietal regions. Lexical form emerged within 60–70 ms, and model fit to semantics from 100-110 ms. Strikingly, the majority of vertices in a central core showed model fit to all three dimensions, consistent with a distributed neural substrate for early speech analysis. The early interpretation of speech seems to be conducted in a unified integrative representational space, in conflict with conventional views of a linguistically stratified representational hierarchy.

Returning the King and the Women to the Beginning of the Song of Songs

Abstract The male lover portrayed in Song 1:2–4 was once ubiquitously considered to be a king. Recent interpreters, however, have understood the word “king” to be either a hypocorism (a nickname of affection) or an epithet for a “bridegroom.” Earlier interpretation also recognized a group of women in the opening scene, but this too is disappearing today. To address these exclusions, I present a close analysis of the grammar and offer an alternative perspective to what is identified as enallage (a substitution of one grammatical form for another) but which also inadvertently suppresses the women’s presence. Next, I investigate how the Song’s “king” became denuded of his royal meaning, including through a reliance on some dubious interpretations of Akkadian poetry. I also explore literary themes in the Hebrew Bible—women’s celebratory praise and a hitherto undiscovered case of subtle soundplay called “hidden paronomasia”—to show why the Song’s “king” should be understood as a royal personage. Finally, by comparing this scene in the Song to the Sumerian love poem Dumuzi-Inanna G, I show how the Song opens with a prominent ancient Near Eastern motif of love literature—the entrance or bringing of the royal consort into the palace, lauded by a group of rejoicing women.

Geological challenges of tunnelling using large slurry shield machine in dense urban centre

Tunnelling in complex geological strata is a challenging task that can affect the performance of shield machines and result in unexpected hazards. Therefore, extensive knowledge of unfavourable environments and shield operational parameters is essential for ensuring successful and safe tunnelling. This study aims to analyse the geological and hydrological conditions of the Chunfeng Tunnel and present the key construction technologies of a large slurry shield machine when crossing complex strata. To this end, attempts were made to (i) discuss the geological and environmental challenges encountered during the tunnelling process and present some early interpretations based on the database information, (ii) analyse the factors affecting tunnel performance and simulate the ground surface settlement along the tunnel alignment and (iii) discuss the countermeasures under adverse ground conditions and propose future directions. The results revealed that tunnelling in fault zones with soft upper and hard lower strata led to severe wear of disc cutters and controlling the tunnelling parameters could provide a suitable method for adjusting the construction process. This study leveraged extensive experience gained during tunnelling using a large slurry shield machine, with special emphasis on mixed ground strata, by providing valuable insights and suggested responses for effective tunnelling strategies.

Early medieval vernacular Celtic glosses: originals or translations?  A case study on the Vienna Bede

This study investigates the Old Irish glossing tradition on the Venerable Bede’s De Temporum Ratione, a computistical work from the early eighth century. Its main source is the Vienna Bede, a fragmentary manuscript with Old Irish and Latin glosses dating from the late eighth/early ninth centuries. It focuses on parallel glosses found in the Gloss-ViBe corpus where the Vienna Bede has an Old Irish gloss and the other manuscripts feature glosses in another language (Latin or Old Breton/Welsh). Minute analysis of individual glosses is used to determine whether early medieval vernacular Celtic glosses originals or translations from Latin glosses? The heterogenic nature of early medieval gloss corpora makes this a complex question for which there is no straightforward answer: for some glosses, a translation from Latin into Irish is almost inevitable, but others suggest Irish influence on the Latin parallel glosses. Accordingly, each case is discussed individually and the results are synthesised in the final part of the article.

Kein Sündenfall der Frau, sondern ein Fanal der Erziehung zur Freiheit in der Urgeschichte der Bibel

Abstract Not a Fall of Woman, but a Fanal for Education for Freedom in the Bible’s Creation Story The article aims at a re-evaluation of the so-called Fall of Man narrative in Genesis 2:4–3:24, which since the early church interpretation has been linked to the loss of the image of God, which man had lost because he had partaken of the tree of knowledge in a forbidden way, whereby the woman is assigned a special guilt because she had seduced the man. This, however, was in no way the intention of the authors of this story in the 4th century BCE. Rather, the story is in dialogue with late-wisdom texts that, on the one hand, deny man the knowledge of good and evil, such as Qohelet and Job 28, or consider this knowledge to be a creative endowment of man, so Ben Sira. According to Gen 2–3, God has granted man the freedom of choice, which man can and does fail at, which is to be countered in the book of Deuteronomy by a complex theory of education.

Unsung Heroes of Mission Bible Translation in Colonial West Africa: Ludwig Adzaklo of the Bremen Mission in German Togoland

The Africanisation of Christianity in Africa is closely linked to the availability of the Bible in African mother tongues. However, mission-led Bible translation in Africa in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was not solely the work of European missionary linguists. Africans, such as Ludwig Adzaklo of the Bremen Mission, played essential roles in this process. Nevertheless, African translators like him were considered as mere Sprachgehilfe (language assistants) to the missionaries and not as co-translators. After a postcolonial analysis of archival data on the translation of the Old Testament into Ewe by Ludwig Adzaklo and Jakob Spieth, this study argues that Adzaklo was not just Spieth’s Sprachgehilfe but a co-translator on the project. Being referred to as Spieth’s Sprachgehilfe was a colonial-missionary label that denied Adzaklo’s agency in mission-led Bible translation in Africa. Therefore, the study suggests that Adzaklo should be viewed as an early Ewe mother-tongue Bible translator in the history of West African Christianity.

중·한 성경 역본 대조를 통한 번역 표현 연구

In this study, looking back on the flow and main translations of the Chinese Bible and Korean Bible translators, especially Chinese Character Bible which had an impact on early Korean Bible translations and even the modern chinese and Korean Bibles. Based on this, we selected the contents of some texts from among the modern Bible translations 『Chinese Union version with New Punctuation』 and 『New Korean Revised Version』, which account for the largest proportion of use in denominations in China, overseas, and Korea respectively, as subjects of comparative studies. Various aspects of vocabulary and grammatical translation expressions related to two traditional translation methods and translation expressions were examined here. This aims to help understand and interpret the style and expression content related to the translation methods of the modern Chinese and Korean Bibles by presenting the linguistic difference between the two languages and also the commonalities and differences in the translation method and translation expression according to the nature of the Bible itself.

Ilaria Ramelli’s History of the ‘Apokatastasis Doctrine’: A Critical Assessment of Evidence from before Origen

Abstract In this article, the treatment of early Christian literature from before Origen in Ilaria Ramelli’s monographs The Christian Doctrine of Apokatastasis and (co-authored with David Konstan) Terms for Eternity is subject to critique. When Ramelli claims that the early literature shared the idea of temporary punishment after death, thus forming the ‘roots’ of the doctrine of apokatastasis, a clear distinction between early and later concepts and interpretations is missing. The argument that αἰώνιος in eschatological contexts should not mean ‘eternal’, but rather ‘in the world to come’, is untenable, inter alia because this supposed sense of αἰώνιος would duplicate the same information in the phrase ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τῷ ἐρχομένῳ ζωὴν αἰώνιον (Mark 10:30). The article also demonstrates the incorrectness of Ramelli’s arguments that the texts contain contrasting relations between the words αἰώνιος and ἀΐδιος and κόλασις and τιμωρία, respectively, with only ἀΐδιος indicating a strictly eternal future, and κόλασις a purifying temporary chastisement. These arguments contain a number of methodological errors: the meaning of words is not sought in the contexts in which they are used, and the possibility of stylistic variation is not taken into account.

Interpreter and limited-English proficiency patient training helps develop medical and physician assistant students’ cross-cultural communication skills

BackgroundThe increasing linguistic and cultural diversity in the United States underscores the necessity of enhancing healthcare professionals' cross-cultural communication skills. This study focuses on incorporating interpreter and limited-English proficiency (LEP) patient training into the medical and physician assistant student curriculum. This aims to improve equitable care provision, addressing the vulnerability of LEP patients to healthcare disparities, including errors and reduced access. Though training is recognized as crucial, opportunities in medical curricula remain limited.MethodsTo bridge this gap, a novel initiative was introduced in a medical school, involving second-year students in clinical sessions with actual LEP patients and interpreters. These sessions featured interpreter input, patient interactions, and feedback from interpreters and clinical preceptors. A survey assessed the perspectives of students, preceptors, and interpreters.ResultsOutcomes revealed positive reception of interpreter and LEP patient integration. Students gained confidence in working with interpreters and valued interpreter feedback. Preceptors recognized the sessions' value in preparing students for future clinical interactions.ConclusionsThis study underscores the importance of involving experienced interpreters in training students for real-world interactions with LEP patients. Early interpreter training enhances students' communication skills and ability to serve linguistically diverse populations. Further exploration could expand languages and interpretation modes and assess long-term effects on students' clinical performance. By effectively training future healthcare professionals to navigate language barriers and cultural diversity, this research contributes to equitable patient care in diverse communities.

Commotio cordis: Another cardiac arrest “sine materia”. The 1707 early report and interpretation by G.M. Lancisi

Sudden death by commotio cordis is rare. It is the consequence of a blunt trauma of the chest overlying the heart.The mechanism is a cardiac arrest by ventricular fibrillation in the absence of grossly or microscopically apparent myocardial injury. It has been reproduced in animals. The first historical case was reported by Giovanni Maria Lancisi in his book "De Subitaneis Mortibus'' published in 1707. Sudden death occurred in a man receiving a powerful blow under the xiphoid cartilage. Lancisi advanced the hypothesis of acute heart failure by a diastolic stand still ("death in diastole'').

Preliminary reading of antibiogram by microdilution for clinical isolates in urine culture.

We evaluated a modification of automated antibiograms in urine cultures designed to facilitate the early interpretation of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and accelerate the targeted treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs), METHODS: A prospective study was conducted of 309 isolates (219 Enterobacteriaceae, 75 Enterococcus spp., and 15 non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB), and a retrospective study of 9 carbapenemase-producing clinical isolates from urine cultures. Colonies grown on conventional isolation plates were inoculated in MicroScan Walkaway system panels and incubated for 7 h, using a MicroScan AutoScan-4 plate reader for preliminary MIC determination by turbidimetry. Resulting antibiograms were compared with definitive antibiograms obtained after incubation for 17 h. Preliminary and definitive readings were concordant for 86.7% of Gram-positive cocci isolates (65/75), 61.6% of Enterobacteriaceae (135/219), and 53.3% of NFGNB. The agreementrate was greater than 90% for most antimicrobials against Gram-positive cocci (94.7% or more) and Enterobacteriaceae, (97.2% or more for 10 of 17 antibiotics) except with nitrofurantoin (89%). The agreement rate was 86.7% or more for most antibiotics against NFGNB apart from piperacillin/tazobactam, aztreonam, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin. Gram-negative bacilli showed the highest differences in MIC values between preliminary and definitive readings. A preliminary antibiogram reading may be useful in urine cultures to reduce the delay before targeted antibiotherapy, especially against Enterobacteriaceae and Gram-positive cocci, but not in cases of carbapenemase-producing NFGNB. Further local studies are warranted to evaluate the usefulness of this approach in relation to resistance rates.

Beyond Ophelia: A Deep Dive into the Agency and Constraints of Female Characters in Hamlet

This paper explores the nuanced portrayal of female characters in William Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet. With a focus on Ophelia and Queen Gertrude, often overshadowed by the titular character, the paper employs a multidimensional approach. It navigates historical and cultural contexts, examining the socio-cultural norms of Elizabethan England and the role of women in Shakespearean drama. The in-depth character analyses of Ophelia and Gertrude unveil their agency and constraints, exploring the impact of external forces on Ophelia’s agency and the Queen’s dilemma as both a mother and a queen. The exploration extends to the absence of prominent female characters in Fortinbras’ narrative, the significance of the play within a play, and a comparative analysis of female characters across Shakespeare’s plays. Reception and criticism are surveyed, from early moralistic interpretations to contemporary feminist readings, offering a historical trajectory of evolving perspectives. The paper concludes by summarizing key findings, emphasizing the profound impact of societal constraints on female agency, and suggesting avenues for future research.

“You are certainly my best friend” – Translating adverbs of evidential certainty in The Picture of Dorian Gray

Abstract The present article focuses on the analysis of how adverbs of evidential certainty are translated into Romanian in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Drawing on previous work, we argue that adverbs of certainty exhibit different interpretations function of their context of occurrence and their position in the clause. In this analysis, I am going to look at the different translation strategies employed in the ten Romanian translations of the book. We are interested in investigating the differences between the earliest translation and the most recent retranslations. We can safely assume that evidentiality is a universal semantic category that is coded differently in different languages. Therefore, it is going to be interesting to see how the rendering of evidential adverbs into Romanian differs from one translator to another across time. Adverbs of certainty express more often than not a degree of confidence on the part of the speaker alongside the speaker’s attitude toward the content of the sentence.

A New Reading of the Bactrian Part of the Dašt-i Nāwur Trilingual (DN I)

Abstract The trilingual Kushan royal inscription of Dašt-i Nāwur has been the subject of scholarly controversies since the time of its first scientific publication (Fussman 1974), with different authors defending opposing views and mutually incompatible readings, in particular of the Bactrian part of the inscription (e.g. Davary & Humbach 1976; Sims-Williams & Cribb 1996; Fussman 1998). Progress in the understanding of the inscription has been hampered by inadequate photographic documentation, but also by the comparatively small amount of information on the Bactrian language that was available at the time of its first publication. A color photograph of the Bactrian inscription probably taken in 1969, which was unavailable to earlier editors, has now been made publicly accessible by the Collège de France as part of the estate of the late Gérard Fussman. This article presents a new reading of the inscription based on this photograph, diverging in many respects from earlier interpretations. It includes a response to the recent re-edition of Palunčić et al. (2023), who have also taken the new photograph into account but reached different conclusions.

Translating the Slavonic Present Participles in the Early Romanian Psalters (16th Century)

It is often said that early Romanian biblical translations from Church Slavonic follow the source texts slavishly. This is believed to be especially true about the 16th century Romanian Psalters, a group of seven texts (both printed and hand-copied) descending from a single translation. Indeed, these texts stay close to their Church Slavonic originals in topic, lexical content, and orthographical rules. However, we aim to describe how the 16th century translators and redactors dealt with Church Slavonic structures that could not be easily adapted into Romanian by means of formal equivalence. The Slavonic present participle, which appears plenty in the Slavonic Psalter, was chosen as litmus test. While theoretically having a formal correspondent in Old Romanian (the gerund), the Slavonic present participle has a range of uses and meanings that the Old Romanian gerund lacks. Thus, Romanian scribes must depart from the comfort of formal equivalence that calques and loans provide and choose the translation that convey meaning. The dynamic equivalence is obtained by selecting different solutions: gerunds, adjectives, objects and, most often, clauses, especially relative ones. Rendering participles with clauses (i.e. adjectives with verbs) forces the translator to make decisions going beyond the Slavonic participle itself. The analysis shows a tension between betraying the Slavonic text as little as possible and rendering it to the best of the redactor’s ability.

The Buddhist Concept of “Filial Piety” in the Context of Early Chinese Buddhist Scripture Translation

The Buddhist Concept of “Filial Piety” in the Context of Early Chinese Buddhist Scripture Translation

A ‘Requiem’ for the short-lived democracy in Iran in the 1950s: Jamalzadeh’s rewriting of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People

ABSTRACT This paper challenges the conventional histories concerning early translations of dramas in Iran through a sociohistorical reading of Jamalzadeh’s Persianized representation of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People in 1961. Focusing on Bourdieu’s theory of practice toned with Pym’s translation historiography, the authors explore the ‘whys’ of Jamalzadeh’s motives when he opted to translate Ibsen’s drama. The article, therefore, examines Jamalzadeh’s rewriting against the backdrop of the field of theatre in 1950s Iran to unveil the sociopolitical dynamics that conditioned and shaped his translation. Also, embedding in Bourdieu’s concept of habitus the Derridean notion of the ideal translator, the authors explore Jamalzadeh’s (bi)cultural habitus(es) as a translator in self-exile. It is proposed that (a) utilizing his Iranian cultural memories, Jamalzadeh depicted parallels between incidents in the drama and the political events of the decade leading to the 1953 coup and the fall of Mosaddegh; (b) exploiting his European cultural/intellectual memories, he deploys Ibsen’s text to taunt Iranian political elites’ short-sightedness and/or hypocrisy and lament the herd behaviour of the masses consequent on the former group’s debilitating conflicts.

Qur’ānic Intertextuality in Early Christian Arabic Bible Translations

This paper provides a number of cases where early Christian Arabic Bible translators resorted to qur’ānic-sounding language and (later) also a qur’ānic aesthetic in their production of biblical codices. The main purpose of the paper is to discuss various reasons as to why they went so far into the “realm of the other” when producing these translations. The answer to that question is most likely connected to the little-known function of these Bible translations, a topic also addressed in the paper. The adoption of qur’ānic language results in a comparatively high level of intertextuality and the use of codicological features associated with Mamluk Qur’āns also tend to blur religious borders. Thus, the paper also explores the possibility to view a portion of the Christian Arabic Bible endeavour as part of the broader process of “religious co-production.”