From: Michael Perelman (michael@ECST.CSUCHICO.EDU)
Date: Thu Sep 07 2006 - 12:28:07 EDT
Smith's Original becomes Ursprunlich becomes primitive. I think that it improves with each mistranslation. On Thu, Sep 07, 2006 at 10:52:04AM -0400, glevy@PRATT.EDU wrote: > Hi Paul Z: > > A few queries: > > 1) the English translation Part Eight of Volume One of _Capital_ has the > title: "So-Called Primitive Accumulation". Yet, the title and references > to the topic in Ch. 26 doesn't contain "so-called" (sogenannte). Should > it be referred to with or without the "so-called"? Statements like "In > the history of primitive accumulation, are revolutions are epoch-making > that act as levers for the capitalist class in the course of its formation > ...." (p. 876 Penguin ed.) suggest that it was a historical reality rather > than merely a "so-called" phenomenon. > > 2) In the same para. cited above where Marx refers to the history of > primitive accumulation, he also refers to "the expropriation of the > agricultural producer, the peasant, from the soil" and "The history of > this expropriation assumes different aspects in different countries, and > runs through its various phases in different orders of succession, and > at different historical epochs. Only in England, which we therefore > take as our example, has it the classic form." Wouldn't this suggest > that, at least in this para., he was referring to primitive accumulation > and this form of expropriation [the expropriation of the agricultural > producer] as interchangeable expressions? > .. > 3) Should "ursprunglichen" be translated as "primitive" or "original"? > To what extent does the translation have any import in terms of the debate > of the contemporary relevance or irrelevance of this process? > > In solidarity, Jerry > > > > > I don't know about a documentary, but do remark that "primitive acc." is > > used by Marx only for the transition from feudalism to capitalism in the > > original constitution of the C.M. of P. > > For the 19-21 centuries, I prefer usage saying simply "expropriation > > ...". For those interested, I documented my point in The Commoner a > > few years back. -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu michaelperelman.wordpress.com
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