Undertranslation is a term commonly used in the field of translation studies to describe a situation where a translator intentionally provides a translation that is less comprehensive or faithful to the source text than a more literal or accurate translation would be.
Undertranslation
Undertranslation - Decolonial (re)mediators
This method is often employed for various reasons, including stylistic choices, cultural adaptation, or simplification of complex ideas. Undertranslation can also occur when a translator prioritizes the target language’s natural flow and readability over a strict adherence to the source text.
This method was used by Decolonial (Remediators) in the “Radical Undertranslation Workshop” during the intensive weekend of School of Commons 2023, by performing a collective “undertranslation” of Barranquilla 2132 by José Antonio Osorio Lizarazo, a colombian science fiction book first published in 1932.
Undertranslation - Decolonial (re)mediators
The Situated Kitchen
An (undertranslated) illustrated dictionary for alimentary sovereignty por Marina Monsonís Read more
Cuando los subalternos entran en el museo: desobediencia epistémica y crítica institucional.a institucional
29.10.2023
This text by Paul Preciado was undertranslated by the second year students of deFine Art department from the Willem de Kooning Academy as part of a theory class. Find out more
Intersemiotic undertranslation
17.11.2023, 17.11.23, 17:00–19:00
This event will be moderated by María Angélica Madero and Santiago Pinyol, in collaboration with Laura Emsley. Intersemiotic translation or transmutation is an interpretation of verbal signs from nonverbal sign systems. Find out more
Radical undertranslation
22.09.2023, 22.09.23, 11:00 – 12:00
During the intensive weekend of School of Commons, decolonial (re)mediators will perform a collective “undertranslation” of Barranquilla 2132 by José Antonio Osorio Lizarazo, a colombian science fiction book first published in 1932. Find out more
Playlist Undertranslation/Subtraducción
If you were to run an Undertranslation workshop, or you want to focus on undertranslating, please consider listening to our playlist. Read more
Un mundo ch'ixi es posible. Capítulo: Micropolítica andina. Formas elementales de insurgencia cotidiana
27.10.2023
This text by Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui was undertranslated by the third year students of the Critical Studies minor from the Willem de Kooning Academy. Find out more
Un Manifiesto para Subtraducir
You should try talking in my shoes for a mile. —Sofia Vergara Read more
Ch’ixi undertranslation
16.10.2023, 16.10.23, 11:00
We followed an intuition. Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui uses this word called abigarramiento. It is untranslatable to english. The word indicates shelter, rooting, but also swallowing, seizing… we looked for where that word appears, in which text. We found nothing, but we found something else. Find out more
A Manifesto for Undertranslation
You should try talking in my shoes for a mile —Sofia Vergara Nothing is lost in translation. Everything was always already lost, long before we arrived. —A manifesto for Ultratranslation by Antena Read more