Julia Burke

SLM-521

Translations—Elective #4

Date: June 28, 2009

Translations

One of the most important aspects of education is communication—the transfer and comprehension of thoughts and ideas. The significance of this concept is apparent when viewed against the backdrop of various restrictions and repression of expression throughout the world. Knowledge is an empowering force. As educators it is our job to teach the skills necessary for lifelong education.

In spite of the ubiquity of English, original expression continues to be authored in other languages. Although exposure to this work in its original form is preferable, translation services, albeit imperfect, allow the student (of any age) to explore that which is foreign to them—hopefully engendering insight into other perspectives.

What follows is a list of instructional situations in which translation would be a valuable tool:

1. Working with ESL (English as a Second Language) students Being able to interact with students or provide activities in which both English and their first language is utilized is invaluable. As someone who wishes that they were fluent in a second language but is not, I believe that having the ability to utilize translation sites provides a common denominator, especially when analyzing inaccuracies in translation and the issues that may arise from miscommunication.

2. Studying Current Events and Critically Analyzing Sources As the world is more interconnected now than it has ever been, it is imperative that students explore beyond their own native boundaries and be exposed to alternative worldviews. Inseparable from this exposure is the ability to critically evaluate the source of information—i.e. official news sources from authoritarian regimes. This, in turn, can lead to more thoughtful analysis of perspectives held by these oppressed populations. By being able to translate foreign news sources students can expand their exploration.

3. Literary Analysis As not all foreign literature is translated into English, being able to translate portions of writings by significant authors (technology and copyright permitting) can allow students to sample more ideas than they could have previously.

4. Language Practice Learning a second language is challenging and the more practice a student gets the better. Being able to utilize real world sources (i.e. foreign newspapers, magazines, etc.) provides a practical application of skills, hopefully reinforcing for students that learning a second language is important. The use of translation sites can help students check themselves fairly quickly as well as teach students about the complexity of translation.

5. Communication with other students throughout the world Being able to compare and contrast experiences and ideas with others, especially of the same age, can be invaluable for students learning about the world and their place in it. Recognizing similarities and learning about differences across languages and cultures on a one-on-one basis can be a fascinating way for students to engage in learning. These translation sites provide a relatively easy way to begin to pierce the language barrier.

English Text to be translated :

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

(Retrieved from: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html )

Same text translated into Russian:

Мы держим эти истины, чтобы быть самоочевидным, что все мужчины созданы равные, что они обеспечены их Создателем с определенными не могущими быть отчуждённым Правами, которые среди них являются Жизнью, Свободой и преследованием Happiness. - Что, чтобы обеспечить эти права, Правительства назначены среди Мужчин, получая их справедливые полномочия из согласия управляемого, - Что всякий раз, когда любая Форма Правительства становится разрушительной из этих концов, это является Правом Людей изменить или отменять это, и назначить новое Правительство, кладя его фонд на таких принципах и организовывая его полномочия в такой форме, относительно них будет казаться наиболее вероятным, чтобы произвести их Безопасность и Счастье. Благоразумие, действительно, диктует, что Правительства, долго устанавливаемые не должны быть изменены по легким и переходным причинам; и соответственно весь опыт hath показывавший, то человечество более расположено пострадать, в то время как зло терпимо, чем к праву самостоятельно, отменяя формы, к которым они приучены. Но когда длинный поезд злоупотреблений и узурпаций, преследуя неизменно тот же самый Объект проявляет проект, чтобы уменьшить их под абсолютным Деспотизмом, это - их право, это - их обязанность, отбрасывать такое Правительство, и предоставлять новые Охранники для их будущего security. - Такой было терпеливым попустительством этих Колоний; и такой - теперь потребность, которая вынуждает их изменять их прежние Системы Правительства. История существующего Короля Великобритании - история повторных повреждений и узурпаций, все имеющие в прямом дополнении учреждение абсолютной Тирании по этим государствам. Чтобы доказывать это, позвольте Фактам быть представленными искреннему миру.

Same text translated into Spanish:

Sostenemos estas verdades para ser evidentes, que todos los hombres son creados iguales, que ellos son dotados por su Creador con ciertos Derechos no alienables, que entre éstos son Vida, Libertad y la búsqueda de Happiness. - Que para asegurar estos derechos, los Gobiernos son instituidos entre Hombres, sacando sus justos poderes del consentimiento del gobernado, - Que siempre que cualquier Forma del Gobierno se haga destructiva de estos finales, esto es el Derecho de la Gente de cambiar o abolirlo, e instituir el nuevo Gobierno, poniendo su fundación en tales principios y organizando sus poderes en tal forma, en cuanto a ellos parecerá lo más probable para efectuar su Seguridad y Felicidad. La prudencia, en efecto, dictará que los Gobiernos mucho tiempo establecidos no deberían ser cambiados para causas ligeras y pasajeras; y en consecuencia toda la experiencia hath shewn, aquella humanidad es más dispuesta para sufrir, mientras los males son sufribles, que al derecho ellos mismos aboliendo las formas a las cuales ellos son acostumbrados. Pero cuando un tren largo de abusos y usurpaciones, persiguiendo invariablemente el mismo Objeto muestra un diseño para reducirlos bajo el Despotismo absoluto, esto es su derecho, esto es su deber, tirar tal Gobierno, y proporcionar nuevas Guardias para su futuro security. - Tal ha sido la tolerancia paciente de estas Colonias; y tal es ahora la necesidad que los obliga para cambiar sus antiguos Sistemas del Gobierno. La historia del Rey presente de Gran Bretaña es una historia de heridas repetidas y usurpaciones, todos teniendo en el complemento directo el establecimiento de una Tiranía absoluta sobre estos Estados. Para demostrar este, deje a Hechos ser presentados a un mundo sincero.

(Site used for both translations: Prompt-Reverso Online http://translation2.paralink.com )

Sites Consulted

Internet Public Library Site http://www.ipl.org/reading/news/

Prompt-Reverso

Online http://translation2.paralink.com

Systran Information and Translation Technologies http://www.systransoft.com

Babel Fish at Altavista http://world.altavista.com