TRANSLATIONS

To translate means to move from one frame of reference (one language) to another frame of reference (another language). The idea(l) is to get the picture translated intact without distortions.

But that is impossible, because the frames of references are not structurally the same when we talk about languages. Only when the languages are closely related can the process of translation have a reasonable chance of accomplishing what is intended. Family members can understand each other, at least most of the times.

But Polynesia of old should be regarded as it is: Situated on the other side of the earth not just literally. Not much in common except that we are all humans. Slowly we in western society are beginning to accept that Homo Sapiens is the same all over the earth and that nothing has happened on that point at least for the last 50,000 years.

I believe that it is impossible to translate the rongorongo texts into English. Not because these texts cannot be understood, but because there is so very little in common between the structures in the English mind and the Polynesian mind.

Minds are programmed by language. Modern western minds are programmed by our fairly closely related languages to look upon reality in a certain way. The rongorongo writers saw it quite differently and their language made it so.

All this means that I will have to try two things: 1) To start where there might be a common ground. 2) To gradually change the mind of you, my English reader, so the translation will have a chance to succeed.

I therefore will start with the Day: Sun goes up in the morning, shines, and then goes down in the evening. We can all understand that, that is common ground, we don’t live in the arctic.

Indoctrination will start from this and then hopefully proceed into more strange country.

A hyperlink from here transfers to the Calendar of the Day.