THE ELVES AND THE ETHOS OF TRANSLATION WITH REFERENCE TO RAJAM KRISHNAN’S TAMIL NOVEL

Abstract

“Without translation, I would be limited to the borders of my own country” said Italo

Calvino, Italian novelist, and short story writer. To enter the literary landscape of thoughts & imagination of another land, language, culture, and history, “Translation” is the only bridge.

Translations evolved and impacted the society differently in different eras. Carrying across the values and communicating through literary translations broaden our own thought process and understanding. There are many literary ethos hidden in every work of writing for us to find and translate. The treasure troves of literary creativity will find light only through translation. But to enjoy and avoid the loss of literary moments in translation, we need to identify the elves that hinder the flow. The local myths, beliefs, sound patterns, significance of words, dialects, use of idioms and phrases, nuances, rituals, and the likes would alter the very essence of the original work. So, in the process of re- drawing the boundaries, interpreting, and localization, the translator is a holding pin. The translator should understand the impact of his translating responsibility and the repercussions his faulty understanding can bring about. The role of a translator is critical to bring out an authentic closeness to the source work. This paper gives an insight into the new world that opened because of translation, the challenges to translate the absolute meaning of the source work with reference to Rajam Krishnan’s novel Lamps in the Whirlpool translated from Tamil into English.