Gorman, take two

Danish. Responding to the controversy that surrounded the Dutch translation of Amanda Gorman’s poems, the op-ed argues that many commentators focused on the wrong topic. What matters is not the choice of a white translator, but the systematic neglect of black translators. As all translators know, every choice implies a range of options that were not chosen. When we discuss the politics of translation, we must note who or what was not chosen, and remember that it is structural patterns of repeated choice, not individual decisions, that make a difference.

“Alle valg er fravalg” (“Choosing one leaves out another”), Weekendavisen (26 March 2021). Link.

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