Translating the Perception of Text: Literary Translation and Phenomenology (Legenda Main)

Translation often proceeds as if languages already existed, as if the task of the translator were to make an appropriate selection from available resources. Clive Scott challenges this tacit assumption. If the translator is to do justice to himself/herself as a reader, if the translator is to become the creative writer of his/her reading, then the language of translation must be equal to the translators perceptual experience of, and bodily responses to, source texts. Each renewal of perceptual and physiological contact with a text involves a renewal of the ways we think language and use our expressive faculties (listening, speaking, writing). Phenomenology and particularly the phenomenology of Merleau-Ponty underpins this new approach to translation. The task of the translator is tirelessly to develop new translational languages, ever to move beyond the bilingual into the multilingual, and always to remember that language is as much an active instrument of perception as an object of perception. Clive Scott is Professor Emeritus of European Literature at the University of East Anglia, and a Fellow of the British Academy. Translation Often Proceeds As If Languages Already Existed, As If The Task Of The Translator Were To Make An Appropriate Selection From Available Resources. Clive Scott Challenges This Tacit Assumption. If The Translator Is To Do Justice To Himself/herself As A Reader, If The Translator Is To Become The Creative Writer Of His/her Reading, Then The Language Of Translation Must Be Equal To The Translator's Perceptual Experience Of, And Bodily Responses To, Source Texts. Each Renewal Of Perceptual And Physiological Contact With A Text Involves A Renewal Of The Ways We Think Language And Use Our Expressive Faculties (listening, Speaking, Writing). Phenomenology -- And Particularly The Phenomenology Of Merleau-ponty - Underpins This New Approach To Translation. The Task Of The Translator Is Tirelessly To Develop New Translational Languages, Ever To Move Beyond The Bilingual Into The Multilingual, And Always To Remember That Language Is As Much An Active Instrument Of Perception As An Object Of Perception.--publisher's Website. Part 1: Merleau-ponty's Phenomenology Of Language. Merleau-ponty: Language, Painting, And Translation. -- Part 2: Literary Translation As Phenomenology. Overwriting And The Overwritten Text ; Listening And Speaking: Sounds ; Listening And Speaking: Rhythm ; Writing And Speaking ; Translating The Time And Space Of Languages. Clive Scott. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [185]-192) And Index. Title Page 6 Copyright 7 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgements 9 A Note on the Text 10 List of Illustrations 11 Preface: A Brief Declaration 12 Introduction 14 Part I: Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology Of Language 38 1 Merleau-Ponty: Language, Painting and Translation 39 Part II: Literary Translation as Phenomenology 74 2 Overwriting and the Overwritten Text 75 3 Listening and Speaking: Sounds 103 4 Listening and Speaking: Rhythm 124 5 Writing and Speaking 146 6 Translating the Time and Space of Languages 167 Conclusion 191 Bibliography 198 Index 206 This book is about translating the perception of text; but that involves the elaboration, from reading, of a text of perception, a text capable of registering the complexities of language-based perception. It offers the phenomenology that has its primary source in the work of Merleau-Ponty.