Sunday, November 3, 2019

Wolfi Landstreicher Bias

Landstreicher, in the introduction to his translation to Max Stirner's book, The Unique and His Property, dismisses the earlier translation of this work by Steven T. Byington.

Wolfi doubts that a Christian translator like Byington could capture the essence of Stirner's mocking, humorous sometimes body masterpiece.

But, I have read both translations, side by side, three times, and there are times when Landstreicher's translation does not relay meaning with clarity as well as does Byington's translation. It is always dangerous to make sweeping statements, painting with too broad a brush.

Landstreicher, the militant, cocky atheist, doubts that a puritanical Christian like Byington could be coolly objective and impartial when translating blasphemous Stirner. I am not so sure. I believe that both interpretations are useful and informative. I would not rank one above the other.

No comments:

Post a Comment