Society & Culture / Literary Studies & Writing / Comparative Literature & Translation

Why Translating a Map is the Ultimate Weapon of Empire (And How to Fight Back)

Changing the Terms: Translating in the Postcolonial Era

Sherry Simon, Paul St-Pierre

Think translation is just a neutral bridge between cultures? Think again. This video, based on the groundbreaking book *Changing the Terms: Translating in the Postcolonial Era* edited by Sherry Simon and Paul St-Pierre, reveals how translation has been used as a weapon of conquest, a tool of espionage, and a mechanism for survival. From the British Ordnance Survey erasing Irish place names to Chinese intellectuals waging a 100-year war over their own grammar, we uncover the hidden power dynamics behind every translated word. Discover how fake translations saved lives, how English creates a 'halo effect' that magically elevates local stories, and how AI might be the new colonial mapmaker. This isn't just about history—it's about understanding the invisible battles we navigate every day.