A Scene from the Borderlands of Translation, Transcendence, and Communicability

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article presents an autoethnographic account of a scene that unfolds at the airport. In the scene, a practical problem is solved despite limitations in communication, and the scene plays out in front of a waiting area full of travelers. It centers around an elderly couple who are confused and disoriented in the midst of a predicament, and who are not fluent in English. A gate agent and another traveler who both speak Spanish help the couple manage the situation and find a solution, but there remains mystery and confusion when the scene ends. The account demonstrates communication as translation, transcendence, and communicability, showcasing the ability to bridge differences through communication and solve practical problems despite being inherently divided. It also occupies a space that can be considered borderlands, and overall offers a critical and reflexive cultural translation that reflects upon the way we perceive the other.