Post for the Week of October 7

 This week, I really enjoyed reading the Royal Commentaries of Inca Garcilaso. My favorite part occurred during the account of Atahualpa's trial, where a native, to inhibit Felipillo from being able to alter what he said, only gave one word answers to the questions asked, and nodded or shook his head to correspond with the meaning. I found this interesting, as this native was able to circumvent the power of the translator. In accounts like this, we see the power resting in the hands of interpreters. If they desire, they can change the meanings of what people say or make up things on the spot. Felipillo is a great example of this. The account describes Felipillo, in order to have Atahualpa killed, fabricating the rumor that Atahualpa was trying to muster military support. This means Felipillo had a clear goal, and that was to have Atahualpa killed. One of the reasons Atahualpa will eventually be killed is due to Felipillo's important position. Because he is the translator, he oversees communication between the witnesses and the council or judges, meaning he had full control over what "evidence" is brought for or against Atahualpa. I found it rather interesting, though, that Felipillo's considerable power was almost brought to nought by a wise witness. In the end, Atahualpa is killed, but it seemed noteworthy to me that this native was well aware of Felipillo's power as translator, and seemed to also know Felipillo was manipulating it to his advantage. 

Comments

  1. Professor StarkOctober 12, 2021 at 1:45 PM

    Thank you, Joe, for the post. A nice job discussing the importance and role of translators in the conquest of the Incas. Good example of Felipillo and his accounts that were biased against Atahualpa. Your attention to detail is that of a historian.

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