Lost in translation

First, here are a couple of links for all you Toby Dawson fans (and I know you are out there, numbering way up in the hundreds, coming in from the Google):

I found this article interesting, in that it seemed to impose a “lucky” theme onto TD’s original quotes — like a big old smiley face sticker slapped on top of it all — having apparently been translated from English to Korean and back to English again. Yes, even Koreans like to equate adoption with luck. (See previous posts for English-language articles that include the original quotes.)

The use of “step-parents” in reference to TD’s adoptive parents made me flash back to my first reunion, when my 아버지 gave me a letter he had dictated to an English-speaking friend, who had addressed my American parents as “foster parents.” *eep* Later on, I believe my 엄마 also referred to them as “step-parents” in a letter.

Next, I am definitely not a morning person, but I am an Internet person — so I came across this transcript of CNN’s American Morning from March 1, when TD gave a brief interview with Soledad O’Brien (who misunderstands the whole point of the word “literally” *sigh*) about his reunion and plans. Scroll about halfway down the transcript for the interview.

It kind of annoys me that all these articles and talking heads are saying “happy ending” this, “closure” that. “Happy ending” makes for a nice headline, sure, but just about anyone who has been through the search & reunion wringer knows that it’s not about happy endings, or any kind of endings, for that matter. Even though TD’s search may be over, I’m guessing that there are going to be a lot of questions that remain unclear or only partially answered.

Each note of happiness or relief that I found in my reunion seemed to be footnoted with a sad tale or a dark, untold memory. That we even had to be “reunited” in the first place, referenced back to the circumstances that led to our separation. This is why I have such beef with the emotional gags of “destiny” and “fate.” If it is fate that we are adopted by our adoptive families, is it not also fate that we were separated from our blood families? It’s quite unfair to yoke an adoptee with the responsibility of reconciling this unfathomable trade-off.

“Isn’t that a great story? It’s a great, great story,” O’Brien gushed.

Whatever, lady. I guess this is just another way that many transracial & intercountry adoptees’ life experiences get lost in translation. What makes for a “great, great” topic for TV journalism cuts too close to the bone for me. As someone who has survived a reunion as well, I think it’s just about as much heartbreak as I can handle, and that’s on a good day. I’m proud of TD for doing his part in trying to help reunite Korean adoptees and children with their families, and sharing his perspective publicly in order to promote greater awareness of the difficulties and cross-cultural voids many of us face. I respect him for taking up this important cause, and I feel for him.

(E-mail me, Toby. I’ve got some books you might be interested in!)

Anyway, I just dropped by to air the place out and keep it smelling pikake fresh. I’m on vacation of sorts this week, playing 고용 운전사 / chauffeur to four VIP houseguests. I’ve even been getting up early. The first morning, I wasn’t sure what that bright light was that was streaming in through the windows, but my guests have assured me that this is called “daylight.” Hmm. Most intriguing. I shall do some research to verify.

Edit: Another CNN transcript here, in which Miss Soledad “Great, Great Story” O’B does the “happy ending” thing *AND* quotes a wildly incorrect number. (Intercountry Korean adoptees in the United States numbering 58,000? Try doubling that, Soledad, and you’ll be more in the ballpark. Do your fact-checking before you go on air, folks!)