A book about translation: “Babel”, by R. F. Kuang

The mother of a Chinese child dies. A stranger takes the little boy to London to give him an education. The boy goes with the stranger because he is suffering and there is nothing left for him in his hometown. The boy changes his name and becomes an Englishman. His tutor enrolls him in a special university in order for him to get a degree in translation. And there is where things turn sour. A secret organization, the true nature of his work as a translator, the return to his hometown, the bond with his friends, all collides in a spectacular and unexpecting ending.

The author R.F. Kuang built a fantastic story, full of magic, taking place during the last period of the British Empire when Britain went into war with China. Having researched the Opium Wars for her first book “The Poppy War”, she based her main character on a Chinese-born boy living in Canton a few years before the First Opium War began. In the book, he will later have a crucial role in that, in a scene inspired by real events and real people. The trade of silver was an essential part of the trade relationship between China and the British Empire and R.F. Kuang uses it in a creative way to tell the story of “Babel”. Furthermore, the real violence and exploration of the colonies by the British is at the heart of the whole story and is fundamental for the final outcome.

A translator herself, R.F. Kuang centres the action in the Royal Institute of Translation, a university in Oxford, UK. This fictional university is located in a fictional tower named Babel and their graduates are destined to fulfil key positions within the empire. The Babel Tower is part of a biblical story. It tells the tale of how humanity tried to build a tower to reach Heaven. God got angry and punished them by giving a different language to different people so the construction would be stopped and people would depart to different parts of the world.

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QUIZ

1. Why is silver so important in the story?

2. What is the role his tutor wants Robin Swift to play at the university?

3. What do students do on the top floor of the tower?

4. In Canton, the Chinese city’s administrator makes his decision based on:

5. What happens to Victoire?

Check the solutions here.

W. Eugene Smith was the photographer who initiated what is now known as photo essay. His best photo stories include “The Pacific War: 1942-1945” and “Country Doctor”. After passing away on October 15, 1978, W. Eugene Smith Fund was founded to carry on his legacy.

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Best of “Word Chronicles”

Dear Readers,

After renewing its website, “Words in Ideas” is preparing its 3rd year of fresh new articles, starting in October. While you wait, you can read (or re-read) the best articles under the category “Word Chronicles”. These articles aim to clarify words’ meaning.

During the first year, articles were focused on words’ origin and meaning. Here are the 5 best:

1. Empire
2. Snow
3. Nomad
4. Revolution
5. Deceit

In the 2nd year, keywords are analysed under two different perspectives. Here are the 5 best:

1. Keyword: TIME | Diamonds are forever
2. Keyword: ENTERTAINMENT | The weight of entertainment
3. Keyword: WAR | Women in war
4. Keyword: TIME | Time and Space
5. Keyword: FAMILY | What are friends for?

This 3rd year, “Words in Ideas” will confront two opposite concepts.

If you wish to comment or send suggestions, please fill in the form at the end of each website page.

Thank you!
Words in Ideas
https://wordsinideas.com/

Revolution

Probably the most well-known revolution is the French Revolution. This revolution was, in fact, a symbol of the collapse of the feudal system that took place throughout Europe at the time. The date of 14th July 1789 is usually referred to as the date of this revolution, but, in truth, the revolution began before that and ended much later, about ten years later or so. Can you pinpoint a precise date for a revolution? No, you cannot. In this case, the 14th July 1789 was actually the Storming of the Bastille, when the people that were fighting on the streets suddenly entered into the Bastille, which was a political prison at the time. Today is commemorated as the National Day in France.

A Revolution is, in fact, a long process that completely transforms society. In the case above, the feudal system was abolished and the monarchy ended, together with many other profound changes that occurred at the same time. This is different from a revolt, which is “to renounce allegiance or subjection (as to a government)” (Merriam-Webster dictionary). A revolt, or an insurrection, lasts less than a revolution and aims to a certain goal. It can succeed or fail when changing something specific. Some revolts could become revolutions (like the French Revolution, which began as a revolt, or several revolts, and grew until it turned into a real revolution), or at least they can have such a goal. If they fail in becoming a revolution, they are just revolts.

Revolts imply violence, but revolutions may not. For example, the Digital Revolution, which refers to the undergoing changes in today’s society from analogical and mechanical technologies to digital technologies, is not violent. Due to new technologies, the way we live, work, and are entertained is getting profoundly different little by little.

Then, there are specific types of revolts that can have certain names depending on the context. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

“REBELLION implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.”
“UPRISING implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.”
“MUTINY applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.”