Damion Searls Challenges 'Faithful' Translation in New Book The Philosophy of Translation

In his book The Philosophy of Translation, Damion Searls challenges the notion of 'faithful' translations, presenting translation as a subjective interpretative process. Searls, known for his 2017 biography of Hermann Rorschach, draws a connection between translation and Rorschach's 1921 insights on perception. The work includes philosophical essays alongside Searls's translations of notable figures such as Jon Fosse, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Rainer Maria Rilke. Translator Edith Grossman, recognized for her work with Cervantes and García Márquez, emphasized the importance of creative writing and deep reading skills. The book is divided into two sections—philosophical and practical. Reviewer Jen Calleja notes a preference for more personal anecdotes from Searls's experiences, while also referencing other contemporary translation texts.