Daring and Doubting

Abstract

I remember a talk given by Michael Henry Heim in which he was asked by an admirer how he dared to translate from such a variety of different languages. He very quickly turned the innocent question into an occasion for self-critique, asking of himself not how do you dare but how dare you!? It was a fine illustration of the subtle inflections in Heim’s communication, the little gems of irony and innuendo that sparkled in his speech, his letters, and, most of all, his many translations. But it was also a serious question, suggesting a deep suspicion from outside—can you really know enough to do that?—and a potentially productive doubt from inside—can I really know enough to do this?