Reflections on Translating Philosophical and Religious Texts

Two scholars of religion, both seasoned translators, share their thoughts on the promise and perils of translating texts from Far Eastern languages. Topics include relations between original and translation, limitations on the possibility of accurate translation, the influence of intended audience, and the readability of translations of technical language. Resumo Dois cientistas da religião, tradutores experientes, compartilham pensamentos nas promessas e nos perigos de traduzir textos das línguas orientais. Os temas incluem relações entre originais e traduções, limitações na possibilidade de tradução exata, a influência do público desejado e a legibilidade de traduções da língua técnica. 1. Religious Texts: Paul L. Swanson As one who has been translating religious texts (or texts about religious thought and practices)—both modern and classical, both primary texts and secondary studies, from Japanese and Chinese into English—for over twenty-five years, I will try to put together some thoughts on what is involved in the translation of these kinds of texts, and to reflect on the challenges and rewards of this enterprise. Never having studied translation formally, and hence being all but completely ignorant of the literature on the subject, I realize I may end up repeating what is already cliché to those who know about such things. In any case, experience has taught me how slippery and ambiguou