Joseph Locatelli

I have discovered translation. It plays like a game; I take a thought or idea from one frame of mind to another. The challenge is preserving meaning in the face literal conversion. Words are uncooperative creatures that resist being pulled from one perspective to another. I volunteer as a translator for the website Watching America the purpose of which is to find articles from sources not readily available in the United States that express perspectives and/or opinions about the actions etc. of the U.S. This post is dedicated to my latest translation for Watching America. The original Spanish language version of the article can be viewed at La Rebublica

The translation that I submitted to the editor of Watching America appeared as follows:

Meeting between President García and Obama will be negotiated by ambassador in the U.S.

The ambassador of Peru in Washington, Luis Valdivieso, announced that upon taking the presentation of that diplomatic seat he will negotiate a meeting between the presidents of Peru and the United States. The intention, he said, is that both leaders hold a meeting in Washington or in Lima, in order to have a dialogue about the bilateral relationship and the future challenges of the Peru-United States relationship. “The idea is to initiate the negotiations for the visit of President García to the United States or, alternatively, of President Barack Obama to Peru,” he stated.

Nevertheless, he mentioned that this objective could be delayed a bit due to the fact that President Obama and the Democratic administration have recently assumed command last January. He related that, as corresponds, in those the aforementioned negotiations are the responsibility of the Peruvian embassy in Washington.

Valdivieso remarked that during his management at the front of the Peruvian Embassy he will seek to “study more in depth” the fact that Peru is not only “trustworthy partner” for the United States, but also shelter country for northamerican and international capital in general.

He said that this situation will improve with the coming into effect of the bilateral free trade agreement from the first of February.

“It is very important to spread the kindness and the fortitude that Peru and Peruvian society has; that it is a good partner, a shelter country for capital, those which will permit to help, as a supplement to our internal saving and in that manner advance in the objectives put forth as a nation,” he pointed out.

The designated ambassador insisted en that he will seek, amongst other topics, to consolidate “very good relations” with the United States and extend the northamerican collaboration of the fight against drugs to combat organized crime.

Likewise, that during his management at the head of the Peruvian Embassy in Washington he will seek for Peru to make the most of the maximum of the benefits of this good relationship in other topics like technology, knowledge and cultural relations. (With information of Andina)

The version of the article that appeared online today, 23 February, 2009 can be found at US Ambassador Negociates US Peru Meeting or one can go to the ‘translators’ section of the aforementioned Watching America website, scroll down to the Spanish section, click on my name ‘Joseph Locatelli’ and here can be found all of the translations I have done thus far in my volunteership with the project.

I have enjoyed my experience in this endeavor. I find the idea of making available international sentiment about the United State appealing and I am excited to be able to contribute in any way. To translate is a puzzle that turns my brain upside down, inside out. I always wonder if I capture adequately the original sentiment. To do is to learn.