Babel by R.F. Kuang

What does it mean to translate something? Are there thoughts and ideas from one culture that cannot be accurately translated into another? How does colonialism affect a person’s view of themselves and their ethnic background? These are the kinds of questions that are discussed at length within R.F. Kuang’s fictional book, Babel. The book is a historical fantasy novel that takes place in Oxford, England and follows the protagonist, Robin Swift, as he undergoes his studies at Oxford University. Since the setting takes place in the late 1820s to 1830s of England, Robin and his fellow cohorts face constant discrimination based on their race and gender. The university’s population are generally white males and the only exception to that rule are the translation students. Despite this, Robin manages to create meaningful friendships that would further challenge his way of thinking. While there, Robin learns about the Hermes society, a secret organization that is determined to stop Britain’s imperialistic ways by smuggling silver bars from the university. Taken away from Canton, China at a young age by Professor Lovell, Robin unintentionally finds himself in a situation where he must confront the very institution that has once given him solace.

            Unlike other magic systems where one may use a wand or say incantations to cast spells, Babel uses a system where words are etched onto magical silver bars. The caveat to this magic system is that a silver bar needs to have a word or phrase from one language etched on one side, and another from a different language on the other side. This is where translation students like Robin come into play; part of their admittance into Oxford requires them to know Latin, Greek, and at least one other foreign language. Understanding how precious these metals are and the value of the act of translation itself, Kuang explores how colonial powers rely on the exploitation of other foreign countries in favor of empowering their own.

            What makes the entire premise of the story compelling is the fact that Robin must confront the institution in which he grew to love while also acknowledging the harm that the very same system has caused to others. Robin is very intelligent and has spent most of his life in Britain—assimilating into their culture and customs, becoming fluent in the English language, but he is still viewed as less than. It is ironic considering how Babel uses students like Robin as a means of exploiting other countries for their resources while also devaluing and dehumanizing their students’ ethnic backgrounds and cultures. For a country that takes pride in its advanced learning institution, it sure does make it known that the only civilized society worthy of that knowledge and power is Britain.

            In writing her characters, Kuang makes it known that people like Professor Lovell are part of a system that upholds the powers of white supremacy and uses languages as a tool to impose their own morals and values onto the world. Robin on the other hand, is the opposite. In the beginning, he does not question what the true purpose of Babel is other than to be a place of learning. Eventually, with the help of his friends and the discovery of the Hermes society, Robin is compelled to challenge the way the institution is run and struggles in finding different methods to do so. The question then becomes whether it’s plausible to destroy a system as large as Babel from within or to start a revolution through violence instead.

            There is a plethora of things that the novel does well in terms of describing the effects of colonialism, but one thing that it does best is discussing the moral implications that some of these students felt when asked to translate texts that are considered sacred. There are certain cultural texts and practices that cannot be translated in a way that could be understood by others—no matter how hard one tries. There is a scene where Robin’s friends, Victoire and Letty, are arguing about why some special texts from Vodou religion should or shouldn’t be translated. Letty having only a French background, cannot understand why Victoire is so displeased with the idea of translating Vodou spells for their professor, and believes the religion itself is not real. For Victoire though, Vodou is as real as a person from Haiti is, and only those from there could ever truly understand the significance of the texts. What use would a British professor have other than to desecrate a group of people’s beliefs so that a silver bar can possibly glow? This all falls back to what it truly means to translate: to make sense of words from one language into another. In various cultures, there are words and phrases, symbols and rituals that cannot be translated, for it would lose its meaning entirely.

            R.F. Kuang’s Babel is a slow read at first, taking its time to build a world that is rich in history by blending historical facts with magical elements like silver working. It challenges readers to examine the extreme cruelties of colonialism and what it means to fight against an oppressive system. Most importantly, it teaches readers how languages are like windows to one’s own soul. A reflection to a life full of meaning and wonder that cannot be explained away in a textbook.