Translating the meta prefix

Amit Majmudar's new verse translation of the Bhagavad Gita, Godsong, includes extensive commentary, much of it illuminating in an accessible level to the typical reader. Here is an excerpt.

The first task of translation is finding a way to sound as little like a translation as possible while still maintaining accuracy. The terms that Arjuna asks about gave me great trouble. They consisted of familiar terms -- self, God, being, sacrifice -- but linked to a prefix that made them specific theological terms which have no English equivalent. The solution of other translators, from direct transliteration into Roman script (Sargeant) to "material manifestation" (Prabhupada) to "elemental-basis" (Feuerstein), were not for me. I decided I would carry out a process in English identical to the one carried out in the ancient Sanskrit. After all, these were not terms used in the everyday parlance or poetry of ancient India. They were theological terms, unusual enough that Arjuna asks Krishna to define them. So I hooked the familiar word to the equivalent English prefix. Adhi and meta are similar, and both have theological connotations. So it metaself, metagod, metabeing, and metasacrifice seem neither spoken nor poetic English but more like theological jargon, that is because I'm staying faithful to the original Gita.

Submissions call: poems for endangered and threatened animals

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: In conjunction with the latest revival of the nature-themed literary magazine Hawk & Whippoorwill, Pen & Anvil is pleased to announce a series of chapbooks dedicated to endangered and threatened animals in the New England area.

Poems for Plovers is a chapbook about plovers. To protect the eggs and chicks of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus), beaches along the Atlantic coast close each nesting season--a conservation effort that has benefited the species greatly over the past thirty years.

Songs for Salamanders is a chapbook about salamanders. Four species of salamander are threatened or of special concern in Massachusetts: the Jefferson salamander, the blue-spotted salamander, the marbled salamander, and the eastern spadefoot. They live under rocks and logs and they deserve your love and poetic tribute.

Music for Myotises is a chapbook about mouse-eared bats. Five species of bats are endangered in Massachusetts: the Indiana myotis, the small-footed myotis, the little brown myotis, the tricolored bat, and the northern long-eared bat.

Cicada Sex-song is a chapbook about cicadas and their summer songs. Five species of cicada are known to call Massachusetts home; we call them all "cicada." They are not endangered, but we are concerned about them, and hope that they have all that they need for a good life.

Direct your art and poetry submissions to chapbooks@penandanvil.com.

---
Contributors will each receive two complimentary copies. Previously published material will be considered. Pen & Anvil does not require exclusive publication rights. Physical copies will be available for sale via the Press website; PDF copies will be available for free.

Pen & Anvil is a not-for-profit literary publishing operation based in Boston. Its chapbook catalogue includes the Komma Series and "Breakfast All Day," a collection of poetry dedicated to breakfast.

Translators and interpreters needed in Albany

Alex Zucker is one of a small cadre of volunteer lawyers and interpreters for the locally based Legal Project out of SUNY Albany. After spending Thursday of last week interpreting at the Albany county jail, he reports that they've never seen anything like this.

The jail houses over 200 migrants detained by ICE; check the Albany Times Union for more information about this story. These individuals have been sent here from all over the country and the Legal Project is overwhelmed. There are lawyers to do the intakes, but not nearly enough interpreters. Persons with expertise in ALL languages are needed: Spanish, French, Hindi, Punjabi, any Mayan languages, Mandarin, Polish, Russian. Alex writes: "you name it, we can probably use it."

Please spread the word to any language speakers other than English that you know, who can get involved in Albany. If you're able to translate, please contact Christina Armistead at carmistead@lsu.edu. She is coordinating the schedule.

And from the Legal Project website:

We are looking for interpreters—all languages—and attorneys. Please contact cric@legalproject.org if you are able to volunteer. For more information, call 518-435-1770 ext. 327. Your help is needed NOW!

Updated after hearing from Alex Zucker: "I am not volunteering for project. I was just passing the info along. I realized too late the way I tweeted it gave the wrong impression. Regardless, if you scroll down to the end of my thread, the last five tweets have the latest info. Could you share that instead? 'ATTENTION: Legal Project seeking interpreters to assist immigrants in Albany County Jail says training will take place *JULY 11 IN ALBANY* from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Interpreters needed for interviews; no paraphrasing, word for word.' Many thx!"