The first thing you'll notice reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is the language. If you Google the title you'll find article after article discussing the code-switching, the use of "Spanglish," no explanation of the Spanish words, and whether Diaz did this just to frustrate readers or he did it to make a point. There is a lot to discuss in "Wondrous," but I can't imagine having a discussion on this book and not talking about the language.
Why did Diaz choose not to include English translations to his Spanish words and phrases? What effect does the seamless blending of Spanish and English create? Why does Diaz choose not to italicize Spanish words the way foreign words are usually italicized in English-language text? These are just a few things to think about as you embark on The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I've also included a recording of a 2008 NPR interview with Junot Diaz discussing his Pulitzer Prize winning novel. It's a great jumping off place for getting into the book!
I think that Diaz uses so much "Spanglish" and Spanish phrases that for him to include an explanation would have tripled the length of the novel. I think his purpose was to make the novel flow more smoothly and to make it more "authentic" as a Dominican voice. I love how he chides the reader in his footnotes for not knowing more about the history of the Dominican Republic and in a (good) way judges the centrism of Americans who know nothing about the history of other countries. I am just now getting into the narrative of Belicia and am enjoying the different voices of the characters in this drama. I can't wait to read more.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I'm also getting to know Belicia. She's a restless character. I love Inca. I don't know if there is a redeeming quality to Belicia down the line...I'm just getting to know her in her younger days.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Diaz not offering translations of Spanish words or phrases (at times he indirectly does offer translations)is sort of in line with what he says in his interview here that is posted....how he explains some of the struggles immigrants face in not understanding large chunks of conversations or linguistic cultural codes...and I think he wanted the reader to maybe experience this on some kind level....and that it was ok not to understand but that it hopefully prompted the reader to look it up or start conversations about it. I think he wanted the reader to experience on some level what it's like not be able to understand what is said, to struggle with that a little...it's interesting to see how in the interview there's not much of an issue with not knowing or understanding the Comic Strip culture for the reader...but when it comes to not knowing what is said in Spanish..it just seems to raise more questions, demand more answers.