Re: [Foucault-L] Surveiller Et Punir translation

[David Shumway <shumway@xxxxxxx>]

The English translation is DISCIPLINE AND PUNISH, not "punishment."  
Both terms are verbs, but not infinitives as are those in the French 
title.  There is no exact equivalent to "Surveiller" in English; it does 
not mean surveillance in the usual sense of that word in English.  
Moreover a title that used the exact cognates, "To survey and to 
punish," would neither be clear nor catchy. Thus the choice of present 
tense verbs, for which again, "survey" does not work. Finally, one could 
argue that the English title actually better reflects the focus of the 
book because "discipline" is a more important concept there than is 
surveillance.

David

Tamir Sorek wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Does anyone can help me to solve the following puzzle: Why did Michel 
> Foucault ask to translate the title of his book "Surveiller Et Punir" to 
> "Discipline and Punishment" in English, instead of "Surveillance and 
> Punishment"? Did he think that his French title was misunderstood?
>
> Thank you in advance for your help,
>
> Tamir Sorek
>
>
>   

--
David R. Shumway
Professor of English, and Literary and Cultural Studies
Director, the Humanities Center at Carnegie Mellon

Department of English
Carnegie Mellon University
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