Commentary

Explanation

Commentary here is explanatory material accompanying a text or its translation. In the context of thick translation, it may illuminate historical assumptions, cultural practices, ambiguities or translators' choices. Commentary is not a neutral container for all missing knowledge. It selects what requires explanation, addresses particular readers and interprets a text through the questions it raises. It should therefore distinguish documented information, plausible interpretation and unresolved uncertainty. More explanation does not automatically ensure fuller understanding: length, placement and perspective also shape reading.

Movement of thought

1. Identify a passage requiring explanation. 2. Assess the assumed readership's knowledge. 3. Gather evidence and interpretations separately. 4. State the commentary's scope. 5. Examine its effect on reading.

Example

An annotation explains a historical form of address and why the translation only partly conveys its rank distinction.

Counter-test

A long footnote is not necessarily reliable; it may repeat unsupported assumptions or conceal the source text's ambiguity.

Scientific use case

Translation research can compare the knowledge supplied by different editions and identify absent perspectives.

Effect

Commentary exposes decisions of mediation and makes them open to examination.

Resonance

A second reading space opens beside the text and changes the first.

Distinction

Distinguish commentary from translation, citation, paraphrase and an allegedly complete substitute for context.

Sources

• Kwame Anthony Appiah: Thick Translation, author-uploaded version

  Author manuscript transcription lines 466–532; not verified against published 1993 pagination; supplied text lacks often-quoted final published passage

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