Lost in Translation

This article challenges the traditional view that something is always lost in translation. First, it investigates its so-called shortcomings generally ascribed not only to linguistic and cultural differences but also to the fact that translation always ranks second and eventually becomes outmoded while the original text is unaffected by the passage of time. Then it goes on to show that these are not essential features of the translating process but the result of basic misconceptions about the nature and function of translation. To overcome such weaknesses, it advocates the use of a creative textual approach based on the interpretive model developed at E.S.I.T.