Interpretation and Translation of John Berger's Art Criticism

"Contextual Simulation”:
A Strategy Deployed for Interpretation and Translation of John Berger's Art Criticism

by  Vinia

Published in Taoyuan Journal on July 31, 2009

Abstract

As one of the most prominent art and cultural critics writing in English today, John Berger (1926~) is noted by his profound and unique insights into the field of arts as well as contemporary world culture. Being composed in a condensed and poetic style, his writing posits a very difficult task for the translator.

The challenge lies in three aspects: first, his/her familiarity with the cultural background knowledge of the world in which Berger’s essays are situated; secondly, his/her acquisition of the professional background knowledge specific to the issues discussed in Berger’s art/cultural criticism; thirdly, his/her reading abilities to read into words (and pictures) and to read between the lines of this particular author.

To tackle these problems, this paper proposes a training method tentatively called “contextual simulation,” which involves three steps: reconstructing a “context,” “simulating” life experience, and "recreating” author’s intended meaning.

To reconstruct a context for the text to be situated in accurate temporal/spatial coordinates, the translator will endeavor to acquire cultural and professional background knowledge with recourse to multi-media materials, such as films, art posters, CDs and DVDs, as well as verbal references.

Then, the translator shall exercise his/her imagination and senses to “frame” him/herself within that reconstructed context and try to “experience” the events described in the text in order to obtain his/her own “simulated” life experience of the events.

At last, based on the simulated life experience, the translator shall decide on the interpretation most approximate to the author’s intention possible and submit his/her interpretation to the examination of the testing stone, i.e., the cultural/professional context of the text.

Originally developed for the interpretation and translation of John Berger’s art criticism, this strategy is characterized with its stress on the vital role of cultural/professional background knowledge and simulated life experience required to arrive at an adequate understanding, deep appreciation, sound interpretation and acceptable translation of a very difficult and meaningful text. It can then be deployed in the rendering of other authors’ writing across cultural/language boundaries.

Key words: John Berger, translation of art criticism, cultural background knowledge, professional background knowledge, contextual simulation

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