Crippled Two-Tongue and the Myth of Benign Translatability

Authors

  • Maya Chacaby

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1925-5624.40315

Abstract

This is an Anishinaabemowin (a.k.a. Ojibwe language) translation story. A story concerning the disabling consequences of Eurocentric translations through the process of redaction, reduction, and refraction of meanings. This story includes baby birds covered in faeces, Ships of Empire, a swamp, an Oracle, a Crippled Two-Tongue, a Tradish Nish, a fraudulent credit card, and one giant animal called Anishinaabemowin that everyone wants to eat but no one wants to share. A story of forced dislocations and the startling journey to re-articulate all the parts of the language. Disclaimer: some baby birds were narratively harmed in the making of this article, but in the end they turn out fine. 

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How to Cite

Chacaby, M. (2016). Crippled Two-Tongue and the Myth of Benign Translatability. Tusaaji: A Translation Review, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.25071/1925-5624.40315