Heritage interpretations : remembering, translating, and utilizing the past

Deane-Cox, Sharon and Côme, Pauline; Deane-Cox, Sharon and Spiessens, Anneleen, eds. (2022) Heritage interpretations : remembering, translating, and utilizing the past. In: The Routledge Handbook of Translation and Memory. Routledge Handbooks (1). Routledge, London, pp. 186-208. ISBN 9781003273417

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Abstract

This chapter addresses the synergistic relationship between heritage, memory, and translation from a conceptual and an applied perspective. It begins by emphasizing how all three operations can be framed in relation to narratives, interactions, subjectivities, and shifts; and yet there remains significant interdisciplinary scope for further investigation into the myriad ways in which translation mediates heritage meanings and simultaneously negotiates visitor experience and engagement. Similarly, little space has been carved out for practical translation considerations within heritage interpretation guidelines, and so this chapter calls for more sustained, empirically led, and joined-up thinking about the heritage–memory–translation triad. The chapter then gestures towards the participatory turn in the cultural sector as a framework for bringing together various stakeholders in that triad to encourage a collaborative approach to interpretative materials. It reports on the endeavours of the 'Translating Scotland's Heritage' research network to stimulate cross-sectoral discussions and provides an applied case study on translation at the Kelpies heritage site. Central issues include anxieties over translation quality, the role of technology, the reception of translated material, accessibility, and minority language use. The chapter concludes with some reflections on directions in which the research horizon might expand.