For class on Tuesday, we had a guest speaker, Professor Pilinovksy, who came and spoke to use regarding her research experiences, translations, a plethora of other information and side conversations. During the discussion, Prof. Pilinovksy began talking about adaptations and how adaptations (movies, books, plays, etc.) are actually a form of translation. A well known saying states that “imitation is the greatest form of flattery.” When a book, play, text, and even movie is adapted from a primary source, the creators of these genres are, in essence, trying to imitate the original creator through the only venue in which they know (whatever venue that may be is circumstantial). Depending on how great the adaptation is, the adaptation can be used as reference or as a document for research regarding the translation or interpretation of the primary text. Prof. Pilinovsky referenced the work Possession and its “horrible” adaptation into a movie. Even though the adaptation did not represent the book well, it is a translation of the book that someone who is researching Possession can use in a discretionary manner. That is why Prof. Pilinovksy stated to us that we should use translations (or adaptations) by a respected translator with whom we can trust. Performing research, as I have learned, can be a long laborious process and not every piece of material or information that I come across is going to be useable. That is why we as beginning researchers need to use a “fine tooth comb” when reading translations and adaptations of a primary document.
