I've been thinking a bit about translation lately. At ANLC we get many request to translate slogans, idioms, mottos, etc. from English to a particular Native language -- or even into "Alaskan." Here are some recent examples:
"In Partnerships ~ Strengthening Our Culture and Traditions and Building Our Future"
“Friendships Today, Partnerships Tomorrow”
"Be Counted"
"Chief Medicine Bear"
While these requests are for the most part well-intentioned, many speakers have expressed their reluctance to fulfill such requests. One problem is that people don't realize just how difficult such requests can be. For example, the English phrase "be counted" is highly idiomatic. Generally the verb "to be" describes being in a certain state, as in "I am happy" or "I am tall", but in this idiomatic phrase it exhorts the hearer to take action in order to bring that state about. Thus, "be happy" (take action so that you come into a state of happiness) and "be tall" (stand up straight). So the idiom "be counted" means: take action so that you come to be counted. Some pragmatic inference is required here, because of course the hearer is a mere passive participant in the speaker's counting process. When put in the context of the US census this inference has precisely the desired effect in English, as it forces the hearer to infer an active role for themselves in the census process -- even though the English verb "to count" usually takes a passive object. So in translating the idiom "be counted," a native speaker must translate not the verb "to count" but rather the pragmatic inference which the idiomatic phrase evokes in English. This is not small task.
But I wonder if it is not only the difficulty of the task which bothers people. Perhaps an even greater problem is that taken together, all of these requests might be viewed as trivializing or patronizing rather supporting Native language. There seems to be a lack of reciprocity. I have yet to receive a request from someone seeking a translation of a Native language idiom into English. No, it is always the other way around. Someone comes up with a usually highly idiomatic English phrase, and then wants to translate it into Native language. It's always English first, Native language second. English is always given priority. No one seems interesting in the rich idiomatic language of Alaska's indigenous languages. Instead, they are interested in forcing an awkward translation of an English idiom. And typically the goal is to advance some non-linguistic cause by appeal to the cachet of Native language. That's what seems patronizing. Don't get me wrong. I know these people are well-intentioned. And I would very much like to see more Native language out there. But I am beginning to understand the reluctance on the part of some speakers to participate in translation work.
