In "The Task of the Translator", Walter Benjamin sets forth what he believes to be the true goal of any work of translation. Instead of conforming to the reader, a translation should conform to the source and target language of the work, the purpose of which is to expose the relationship between the two languages, how each complements the other in its use. But is there more to Benjamin's Task than that?
Walter Benjamin is commonly thought of as a Neukantianer because of his influence by the Marburger school, especially Cohen. Little is known, however, about his influence by Husserl's school of phenomenology. In this paper, we will determine Benjamin's influence by phenomenology by first developing a concise conception of intentionality based on a close reading of Husserl's principle work Logische Untersuchungen, as intentionality is the key term linking Benjamin to the phenomenological tradition. We will then provide a novel interpretation of Benjamin's essay "Die Aufgabe des Übersetzers" by focusing on his use of the phenomenological term 'intention' and, with help of Benjamin's fragments on the philosophy of language—where he also used the term intention in the phenomenological sens, provide a novel understanding of what Benjamin means by "das Gemeinte" and "die Art des Meinens" with respect to his theory of translation.
Table of Contents
- Edmund Husserl's Conception of Intentionality, Logical Investigations
- The Role of Intentionality in Translation - Benjamin's The Task of the Translator
- Conclusion with an Example Translation: Rilke's Blaue Hortensie
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to reinterpret Walter Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator" through the lens of Husserlian phenomenology, specifically focusing on the concept of intentionality. By examining Husserl's Logical Investigations, the paper seeks to clarify Benjamin's use of "intention" and its connection to his theory of translation.
- Husserl's conception of intentionality
- The role of intentionality in Benjamin's theory of translation
- The relationship between intentionality, das Gemeinte, and die Art des Meinens in Benjamin's work
- A new interpretation of Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator"
- Application of the reinterpreted theory to an example translation
Chapter Summaries
1. Edmund Husserl's Conception of Intentionality, Logical Investigations: This chapter delves into Husserl's Logical Investigations to establish a concise understanding of intentionality. It explores the relationship between intentionality and Wesenerschauung, examining whether objects of reflection, imagination, and conceptual objects can be objects of intentionality. The chapter investigates Husserl's views on propositional attitudes and their connection to intentionality, clarifying the role of cognition and sensory experience within Husserl's phenomenological framework. The analysis also addresses the role of emotions in intentionality. The chapter concludes by positing that Husserl's intentionality operates through abduction as an intermediary between deductive and inductive systems, encompassing sensory and cognitive aspects of phenomenology.
2. The Role of Intentionality in Translation - Benjamin's The Task of the Translator: This section will likely analyze Benjamin's essay, focusing on his use of "intention" within a phenomenological framework. It will connect this understanding of intention to Benjamin's concepts of das Gemeinte (the intended meaning) and die Art des Meinens (the mode of meaning) within his theory of translation. The chapter will likely utilize Benjamin's fragments on the philosophy of language to support its interpretation and demonstrate how his concept of intentionality shapes his understanding of the translator's task.
Keywords
Walter Benjamin, The Task of the Translator, Edmund Husserl, Logical Investigations, Intentionality, Phenomenology, Translation Theory, Das Gemeinte, Die Art des Meinens, Hermeneutics.
FAQ: Reinterpreting Walter Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator" Through Husserlian Phenomenology
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper aims to reinterpret Walter Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator" through the lens of Edmund Husserl's phenomenology, specifically focusing on the concept of intentionality. It seeks to clarify Benjamin's use of "intention" and its connection to his theory of translation.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include Husserl's conception of intentionality, the role of intentionality in Benjamin's theory of translation, the relationship between intentionality, das Gemeinte (the intended meaning), and die Art des Meinens (the mode of meaning) in Benjamin's work, a new interpretation of Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator," and the application of this reinterpreted theory to an example translation.
How does the paper utilize Husserl's work?
The paper delves into Husserl's Logical Investigations to establish a clear understanding of intentionality. It examines the relationship between intentionality and Wesenerschauung, considering objects of reflection, imagination, and conceptual objects as potential objects of intentionality. The role of propositional attitudes, cognition, sensory experience, and emotions in intentionality within Husserl's framework are also explored. The paper suggests that Husserl's intentionality operates through abduction, bridging deductive and inductive systems.
How does the paper analyze Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator"?
The paper analyzes Benjamin's essay, focusing on his use of "intention" within a phenomenological framework. It connects this understanding of intention to Benjamin's concepts of das Gemeinte and die Art des Meinens within his theory of translation, utilizing Benjamin's fragments on the philosophy of language to support its interpretation.
What is the significance of das Gemeinte and die Art des Meinens?
Das Gemeinte refers to the intended meaning, and die Art des Meinens refers to the mode of meaning. The paper explores how these concepts, within Benjamin's theory of translation, are shaped by his concept of intentionality.
What is the practical application of the paper's findings?
The paper applies its reinterpreted theory of translation, informed by Husserl's phenomenology, to an example translation (Rilke's "Blaue Hortensie").
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include Walter Benjamin, The Task of the Translator, Edmund Husserl, Logical Investigations, Intentionality, Phenomenology, Translation Theory, Das Gemeinte, Die Art des Meinens, and Hermeneutics.
What are the chapters included in this text?
The text includes chapters on Edmund Husserl's Conception of Intentionality (based on Logical Investigations) and The Role of Intentionality in Translation (based on Benjamin's "The Task of the Translator"), concluding with an example translation.
- Quote paper
- John Dorsch (Author), 2014, Walter Benjamin and "The Task of the Translator". An Interpretation based on his Influence by Phenomenology, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/412283
