Lost in Translation

"And so much is lost in translation." AAW

Imagine the Hausa's use of personification in 'Ina kwana' literally 'Where is sleep/ the day?' Again He says: 'Ina gajiya' = 'Where is tiredness'. I mean how can one 'fully' describe/translate the Hausa word 'santi' and all its 'flavors' and 'melodies'? 

You see many a times we are thinking in our 'mother-tongues' even as we write in English. But alas we lose the sweet ring of poetry and the sumptuous figurative use of words that are sprinkled everywhere.
 
Not to mention the proverbs. Oh my, how much is lost! Here would be an apt place to say: 'Kowa ya bar gida, gida ya bar shi!' Language and its mysteries...

'Santi' is much more than 'relishing'. It is that act that is beyond words that makes one talk of things or act as if 'inspired/possessed'! And in many cases the person doing the 'santi' talks of entirely non-related things. So for me 'santi' is in a class of its own uniquely 'santi'. 

Essentially, experiences vary by the nature of our environments and circumstances and many a times language is what distinguishes and preserves these experiences. The 'gardin madara' that one experiences may not have the same effect on a Englishman who is accustomed to their own peculiar 'taste' of the same milk. I am yet to get a 'translation' of 'gardi'! 

You see there will definitely be a word to describe things from one language to another but capturing the essence of the 'experience' is most times lost in translation.

Haidarwali 201511202203hrs

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