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Your task is to write a response that evaluates the study of literature in translation. Your response should demonstrate an awareness of specific benefits and challenges through references to today’s readings, as well as making tangible connections to the learning outcome from Part 3 of the course. 

It is quite easy to access literature in translation nowadays and not many people can tell the difference between English-translated literature and English-written literature. The reason is that translators put endless effort and time to preserve the authenticity of the original piece. To do this, they take the context in which the original piece was written; understanding of the context influences the connotation and symbolism every word stands for.

Unfortunately, it is not as easy as it sounds. Translators often misunderstand the context and translate in terms of the denotation rather than the connotation, hence, there is now a loss of authenticity and the author's intention. Conversely, even though the translators did understand the context, difficulties lie in the nature of languages; every language has its own characteristics and is distinct to all other languages. Due to this nature, translators have to make sacrifices when translating, as there may be some words in one language that are untranslatable in other languages or may be words that lose their symbolic connotation when they are translated. In conjunction to this, translators may unintentionally or, at times, intentionally add new meanings within the text by misinterpreting the original.

Despite the limitations, there are more benefits of translating literature. The foremost benefit is the promotion of global integration through cultural unification resulting from languages traveling across national borders. When languages cross borders, the cultures and traditions do so as well, as they are deliberately and precisely embedded in literature. Furthermore, this leads to enrichment of languages, as there unique expressions are shared.

All in all, translating literature and publishing in other nations do have limitations, but these could be prevented by the translator; the benefits, on the other hand, are immense.

Pastiche: Cryptocurrencies

Opinion Column Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/stay-away-from-bitcoin-its-complete-garbage-2017-06-15

Column Summary: In this Opinion post, Brett Arends criticizes the uprising popularity of cryptocurrencies, namely Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum, claiming that their primary uses are for online gambling and money laundering. This use of strong negative vocabulary coupled with his technique of incorporating an image of a garbage dump and a dialogue that displays the confusion of cryptocurrency users highlights his hateful attitude towards these cryptocurrencies. As a result, his bias is identified early on, evidence for which is provided throughout his column.
Looking at the dialogue that he uses to emphasize his point: cryptocurrency users and fans often dont understand what they are talking about, he uses irony in the comment “You don’t understand!” wherein he attempts to show his audience the naivety and ignorance of these fans and users. Moreover, the dialogue is between the “fan” and more importantly “you” where he forces his ideology onto his audience by putting them on the spot as against these “fans.”

He then chooses to split his arguments into 3 main sections. In the first, he debates how valid the point is that cryptocurrencies are immune to inflation while highlighting that they fluctuate immensely and can “fall 30% in a week.” In the second section, he goes on to emphasize his point that cryptocurrencies fluctuate a lot using the simple example of potato purchasing which instills a deeper sense of fear in his audience. Finally, in the third section he argues that just like global currencies, cryptocurrencies are also subject to competition with the exception that due to their fast-growing paces and competitive natures, they are subject to even more fluctuations and uncertainty.

Text Recreation: Pastiche

Opinion: Invest in cryptocurrencies – the future of global currency

Published: November 25, 2017 2:11 p.m. GST

Why Cryptocurrencies? Faster Transactions, Secure and NO!! Government Intervention

In a period that has come to be known as the Information-Age, most of everything has to do with some form of digital processing and recording. This has opened up a world of faster communication and faster action. Everything is now digital, from carrying out your daily grocery shopping to the planning of the next Mission to Mars. So, wouldn’t you have expected a new currency that is solely digital and has no physical value or representation? Well, in fact, these so called digital currencies are called “cryptocurrencies” and have been around for the past decade. Almost everyone who is technologically-savvy is aware of these cryptocurrencies and if you manage to bump into one of these people, im pretty sure you’re conversation would be something like this:

You: Why do you choose cryptocurrencies over established global currencies? What makes you think that Bitcoin is going to be a bigger than something like the US$ already is?

Techie: It’s definitely going to be bigger than any national currency and that’s because everything is online. I can buy and sell things online quicker and can even go for vacations without worrying about exchanging my money.

You: Well, I can buy things online almost as easily as you claim you can with Paypal, so what’s all the fuss about with cryptocurrencies?

Techie: I haven’t even got to the best parts yet. With cryptocurrencies, there is absolutely no government inflation and hence these currencies are almost immune to inflations, something that the central bank could easily adjust with Fiscal and Monetary policies. Furthermore, The transfer of money value is instantaneous without any loss. This means that I could leave Abu Dhabi and move to London tomorrow and have all my finances waiting there before I arrive.

You: Woah, so its completely decentralized with no head control? That’s amazing.

Techie: Yep, everything is run and adjusted by the user. Revolutionary.

Its REALLY!! Secure

In what ways could Wallace’s theory about education be applicable to the writing of Alice Munro?

David Foster Wallace’s theory on education was that education shouldn’t solely focus on abundance of knowledge but also or more so focus on simple awareness; he adds in his speech that college injects over-intellectualized stuff in our consciousness. Another intriguing aspect of his theory was that true freedom is achieved when attention, awareness, discipline, effort, caring and sacrifice for others are all involved. In his speech, he referred a person who is able to practice as being ‘well-adjusted’.

This can be applied to the written pieces of Alice Munro whose stories include awakenings of a female character whether it is in terms of her true identity-like in Boys and Girls-or of her surroundings-like in Moons Jupiter. A commonality of the 6 books is that the female narrator experiences a turning point either by observing a certain event second handedly or undergoing the event first-handedly; the narrator feeds to the realization by being a ‘well-adjusted’ person just as David had mentioned in his speech. For example, in Moons and Jupiter, the female narrator-mom- understands her absent children and sick dad although it is done very inexpressively,

Another important notion David brought up in his theory of education was the ‘reality’ and how self-centered mindset cannot persist and shouldn’t persist, but rather having a mindset that is more comprehensive. By comprehensive, I am referring to a mindset that is broad and understanding enough to think for others; this is called, ‘Shared Humanity’.

In Munro’s short stories, we commonly have a gist of shared humanity in a way that the female does break out of their self-centered mindsets. The largest outbreak seems to appear in Passion where the female narrator seduces her brother in law. Although it may be easily argued that the narrator’s self-centered mindset worsened later after the dramatic event where Neil and the narrator almost have a sexual relationship, but after that event her guilt escalates and even more after she receives a thousand dollar note, freeing up the follow up of the story’s ending for readers’ own imaginations. However, as a reader myself I imagine a follow-up where the female narrator matures and determine to care more for others-a typical coming of age

Paper 2 Outline

Prompt: With reference to Things Fall Apart, discuss how an understanding of gender influences how the text may be understood.

Thesis: To a reader with a contemporary Western understanding of gender, the  rigidly established gender roles both by the Igbo society and Okonkwo, and his relationship with secondary characters i then interpreted as profound hatred. 

Topic sentence 1: Through the precise decoration of the Igbo society in the first part of the book, the readers are presented a story and setting that challenged their former thoughts on Africa. Through this candid decoration and presentation, the readers are almost disgusted by the gender inequality. 
Topic sentence 2: Through the use of such places such as Mbanta, Chinua Achbe also emphasizes that women were also valued, and that gender inequalities within the book were merely anomalies
Topic sentence 3:Through the use of Igbo proverbs and other evidences of orality, Achebe demonstrates the difference in Okonkwo's and the Igbo ideals of gender despite the evidence of rigid gender roles in both. 

Thesis practice

Promt: The personal history of an author can have a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in his/her writing. Comment on specific instances of such influence in Things Fall Apart.

Thesis

Chinua Achebe, a Christian but also an Igbo-originated writer presents a text highlighting the complexity and duality of his identity and also the Igbo society. This presentation of complexity and duality servers as a backbone for how the Igbo civilization fell apart. 

Topic sentence 1: The author's style of writing is a reflection of the duality of Chinua Achebe as both a Christian-western influenced person- and also an Igbo.
Topic sentence 2: The introduction of the irrational Igbo customs suggest as to why the members of the society so readily accepted the Western ways. 
Topic sentence 3:  Okonkwo's inflexibility juxtaposes with the Igbo duality, which may insinuate the flaws and the eventual fall of Igbo society. 

Thesis statement

Prompt: With reference to Things Fall Apart, show how sub-plots or secondary characters contribute to the reader’s understanding and appreciation of the work as a whole.


The thorough characterization of Unoka, Nwoye and Enzima exists to underscore the inconsistencies and contradictions of the Ibo society, constructing the idea that the Ibo society was not a perfect one. This idea is the overarching theme which presents the flaws that have existed within the Igbo society and how those flaws were a chance for the western people.

Okonkwo

1. What is the significance of Okonkwo’s character? 

Okonkwo continuously strives to achieve success and condemns laziness. He displays hyper-masculinity as well as extreme inflexibility. He has solely one vision of what it means to be a man. Okonkwo's character is significant in that he is a tragic hero archetype, displaying hubris, peripeteia, hamartia, and anagorisis. 
Also, some of his values are reflective of Ibo values. For example, his obsession with titles and recognition is reflective of the hierarchal nature of the Ibo society.  
He represents the old. He is the one holding on to the old values, as evidenced by how he tries to get the tribesmen to drive away the Western influences. Therefore, he is symbolic of the old ways of Ibo life. 
His life falling apart is emblematic of how the Ibo society fell apart, town by town, while the Ibo people themselves weren't fully realizing. 
As a tragic hero archetype, he meets his tragic end. The last hold-on to the old is gone, and so is the old way of life, and the new reality called Nigeria emerges. 

2. What is the purpose of Okonkwo’s character within the text? 

One would be to contribute to the themes as mentioned in the answer to the next question. 
Another is already discussed in the first question, which is to work as a symbol. 

3. How does Okonkwo’s character contribute to themes or meaning

Okonkwo's character contributes to the theme of gender. His inflexible nature exposes the social structure of the Ibo society based on gender to an exaggerated and extreme extent. He calls out on men without titles for being a woman, and is pained by the fact that Enzima is a daughter. It is arguable that this is reflective on the Ibo society as it did have some gender roles. Even in agriculture, there were female crops and male crops. There were female sins, and male sins. Okonkwo's character further highlights this theme of gender already prevalent in the novel. 
Also, his tenacious and inflexible nature leads to adding to the theme of the clash between old and new.