American Dream

                                         

 

     The American Dream.  Something that many strive for and many fail to be satisfied by.  America is a nation that has a foundation of freedom and opportunity.  I would describe the stereotypical American Dream as having a successful job with a good salary, nice house, and a happy family.  My description of the American Dream has been changing as of recent.  I used to think that my description was fairly similar to the stereotypical definition, but now my perspective is slightly different.  I still believe in the happy family and the nice house in the suburbs, but I don't think that's the only definition of the American Dream.  Maybe it's because I'm young and I'm not quite sure what direction I want my life to go, but I think the real American Dream is the possibility that America has to offer.  The possibilities are endless.  If I want to live in New York City and have a fast-paced life in the city, I can.  If I want to live in the suburbs with my husband, dog, and 2.5 kids, I can.  If I want to live in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and spend my days skiing and hiking in the wilderness, I can.  If I want to do a combination of any of these future scenarios, I can.  I guess I don't really have a clear description of my personal American Dream, but I do know that the American Dream consists of the opportunity to be happy with which ever possible dream a person decides to pursue.  

     My definition of wealth has also changed.  I'm not going to lie, I like to spend money.  I like to buy clothes, shoes, makeup, hair products, etc.  I like to travel and go on expensive trips.  In the end though, you can't take any of the material stuff with you.  When you're reflecting back on the life you've lived,  you're probably not going to remember the prom dress you bought or the new watch you wanted for your birthday.  You're going to remember the memories you've made and your connections with other people.  The smiles, the laughs, the tears, everything.  I think today, a lot of people often forget to really cherish their social connections.  It seems that the majority of Americans are too concerned with money and making money to remember the value of social interactions.  Do I want a job that will financially support me and allow me to live a "wealthy" lifestyle? Yes. But what matters more to me is that I am rich with love and friendship. 

     I think America's attitude towards wealth is satisfaction.  If someone is wealthy, it is usually assumed that they are satisfied and happy.  I think American's attitudes towards poverty differs.  I believe some Americans feel hostile towards other Americans who live in poverty, but when it comes to those living in poverty in other countries they feel sympathetic.  My attitude towards wealth and poverty don't exactly line up with America's.  I don't think that being wealthy necessarily makes one happy or satisfied.  I know many wealthy people who are not happy at all. Wealthy people always seem to be greedy and want more.  I know it is bad to generalise and that this does not include every wealthy person.  This is just an observation and general trend I have noticed.  My attitude towards poverty isn't necessarily sympathetic.  I've been on several mission trips and I think that people living in poverty can be some of the happiest people.  They are surrounded by crime, dirty surroundings, and fear of where their next meal is coming from.  Even with all of these things, people living in poverty still are able to find such a pure happiness and reasons to be thankful.  

     I think that people in America like to separate wealth and poverty.  This separation is not a good thing.  America is a melting pot full of different people with different backgrounds.  We all need to come together and learn from each other.  There doesn't need to be hostilities between wealth and nonwealth.  We all live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, trying to achieve our own American Dreams.  

Importance of Translation

Giant Bug. Ahhhh! So gross.

Translation One: 
-Structure: "As Gregor" makes the process sound like a transition. AS he did this, HE FOUND he was an insect.
-Diction: "uneasy dreams." Makes me think of an uneasy stomach.  This phrasing makes me think the dreams weren't necessarily bad, but they weren't normal or pleasant either.

-Syntax: "in his bed" seems to force itself into the sentence.  Doesn't flow as well. Separates "Transformed" and "into a gigantic insect."
-Imagery/Details: "Gigantic insect." Use of the word insect makes it sound more scientific. Gigantic makes the insect appear to be very large. Does sound a little exaggerated though.  This phrase makes me picture a very large and insect.  

Translation Two:

-Syntax: The shortest of the three translations.  
-Structure (and an effect of the shorter syntax): more direct. Doesn't beat around the bush.
-Diction: Only translation to say "Changed." Changed sounds less impactful than transformed.
-Imagery/Details: "Giant bug." Sounds a little elementary to me. By using the phrase giant bug, I don't think of this exotic human/man bug.  I think more of an unwanted cockroach that one might find in their bathroom.
-Structure: Leaves out the "in his bed" part completely 

Translation Three:

-Structure: States condition of the character first. "When Gregor Samsa awoke."
-Diction: Only translation to say "Troubled Dreams." Troubled dreams sound more intense than uneasy dreams or agitated. More negative.
-Imagery/Details: "enormous bug" like translation two, I believe that the word bug sounds more elementary.  Makes me picture a really large and creepy crawly bug. Gross.
-Syntax: Not a lot of punctuation. Just a period at the end.  

Translation Four:

-More formal than the others

-syntax is unique. Stands out from the rest. 

-Lots of commas. Breaks the sentence up.

-"monstrous vermin" doesn't clarify he is a bug. Makes it sound like he's a giant rat. 

-only translation that says "agitated dreams."Makes the dreams sound more annoying than disturbing.
-States setting first. "One morning." Then states condition of the character."Gregor Samsa found himself."

     Translations of texts offer many benefits.  Through translations, people from all over the world and who speak different languages can read the (essentially) same text!  Without translations, many people would not be able to read influential texts, like the Bible.  The problem with translations though is that sometimes the original meaning of the texts can become altered.

     There are many differences in the four translations above that affect the meaning of the sentence. The word choice has a big impact on a sentence.  For example, there is a big difference between "gigantic insect" and "monstrous vermin." "Monstrous vermin" has a very negative connotation, much more negative than the other translations.  The use of the phrase "monstrous vermin" also does not clarify whether the man transformed into a bug or some other horrid creature.  Syntax can also change the meaning of a sentence.  For example, some of the translation gets lost in Translation Two.  All of the other translations tell us that the man is in his bed when he discovers the transformation.  In Translation Two, there is no mention of a bed.  Punctuation has a large impact on how a sentence flows.  If a translation does not flow coherently then the meaning of the sentence could be altered or misinterpreted.  Translation Four contains many commas and clearly separates the setting and the transformation.  Translation One and Translation Three are very long sentences with no punctuation. Imagery shift also plays a large role in portraying the meaning of the sentence.  The imagery of a sentence affects how the reader visualises certain images.  "Gigantic insect" makes me visual something different than "monstrous vermin" or "giant bug."

      I believe that the most effective translations are Translation Three and Translation Four.  Translation Four does a good job of clarifying and separating the sentence.  I like Translation Three a little bit better though  because it clarifies that Gregor turned into a bug.  In this case, I don't think any translation does a terrible job of portraying the events that have occurred, but there are some difficulties.  Each translation is a little different.  If you read these translations individually you would develop a different interpretation of each.  This brings up the primary difficulty of translations.  Translations can be mistranslated and end up portraying a completely different message than the original.  The tone of the sentence can also change depending on the translation.  Sarcasm and irony are often mistranslated.  If the tone of the text is mistranslated then some readers may become confused or offended by the translation.