Wokół koncepcji tłumacza jako drugiego świadka – uwagi krytyczne

The article, drawing on Sharon Deane-Cox’s concept, explores the role of translators of traumatic texts, particularly the testimonies of Holocaust survivors, within the framework of contemporary Translation Studies. In this view, which is influenced by the psychoanalytic works of Dori Laub, the translator of survivors’ testimonies acts as a secondary witness. To convey the survivor’s message faithfully in another language, the translator must “listen” to their voice with empathy. Translating testimonies, therefore, demands not only linguistic proficiency but also the ability to interpret meanings hidden between the lines. In this role, the translator bears the responsibility of preserving the memory of another person’s trauma. The grounding of Deane-Cox’s concept in theories that assert the inexpressibility of trauma, treat written testimonies as if they were spoken, and place significant responsibility on the translator may, however, invite some critique.