https://globalvoices.org/2018/01/13/japanese-media-struggles-to-translate-trumps-shithole/ by Nevil Thompson
This article depicts how language barriers still remain a problem because the desired meaning behind something said in one language may be tough to convey in another. On January 11th 2018, President Donald Trump, during about protecting immigrants, referenced to countries such as Haiti, El Salvador and other African countries as “Shithole” countries. The trouble in translation is conveying just what this word’s meaning in English is in each news reporting outlet’s individual language. Within that language will mostly likely contain colloquial dialects that must also be taken into account. The article focuses on how new’s agencies within Japan decided to report their translation.
While the translation of the word itself is interested to me, mostly because I study Japanese here at university, the way it is used and who it’s referring to was disrespectful, unethical, and could very likely hinder relations between the United States and the countries president Trump was referring to.
(Image credit: Global Voices)
Romaji (English spelling) for those who cannot read Kanji & Hiragana is provided below.
Reuters : “Fuketsu na Shokyokoku” Huffington Post : “Kitanai Benjo” Sankei : “Benjo no youni kitanai kuni” Nikkei : “Koedame no youna kuni” AFP : “Koedame Kuni” BBC : “Koedame mitai na kuni”