Translations of the American Anthem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Translations of the American Anthem - Essay Example The researcher states that in a world of muti-culturalism, where we declare ourselves to be living in a global village, the issue of translating a national anthem is not only politically sensitive, but problematic. This is so, simply because the act of translation is always seen as a transgression of the natural order of nationalism and belonging. Translating a national anthem not only takes us back to an epistomological search of our roots, but can break the politicized realms of an community of nationalists and the idea of a nation. When to come to discuss something as intellectually engaging as the translation of the American National Anthem, it is to be kept in mind that the issue would inherently move out from the general quarters of translationary activities and delve into the more serious issues of political intent and the inherent problems of multi culturalism. What the real problem happens in the act of translation is the intent of having the anthem in several National Langu ages or trying to have several versions of a National Anthem. In the translation of the anthem in 1919, the wuthot makes a conscious effort to go beyond the confines of narrower linguistic theories. His translation addresses the matter of text interpretation based not just on the words of the text but on the intent of the author, the relationship of the author to the intended audience, the culture and world view of the audience. Thus, his translation of the National Anthem of America is based on the wider context of the communication situation.