Idiom: Psychoanalysis in Spanish

Abstract

A study of Spanish translations of texts and key words in psychoanalysis, beginning with Freud’s own early interest in Cervantes. We analyze the relation between Spanish translation and the original German, as well as the standard English translation. We discuss the two translations of Freud’s Complete Works: López Ballesteros-Rosenthal (1923-56) and Etcheverry (1974-79). We explore Lacan’s effect on Spanish versions after his “return to Freud.” We explore how Freud’s radical invention, Unbewusst,[1] the Unbewusst, disrupts the structure of all languages because in psychoanalysis they only function as vehicles for the formations of the unconscious. Unbewusst is, as such, untranslatable since “it” speaks in a singular, unrepeatable, uncodifiable lalangue (Lacan), allergic to all bilingual dictionaries. We counterpose Freud’s exoteric style (classical, Aritotelian) to Lacan’s esoteric style (baroque, Gongoristic). We describe the changes and insufficiencies in the Spanish translations of Lacan’s teaching. We discuss the radical untranslatability between Freud and Lacan in their early texts independent of language due to the difference in styles. Finally, we propose that the difficulties found in translation are fertile for psychoanalysis since they make the multiple versions of Freud, Lacan and their followers all the more necessary in all languages.

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Rights: In Copyright