Lost in Translation
Yesterday, the direction of the 21st century pivoted on the translation of a single word.
The word was “feel” …
Ironically, I don’t mean a translation from Ukrainian to English — I mean a translation in the mind of the listener. In fact, it’s a textbook example of why the unaware children of narcissists make poor diplomats — and terrible leaders.
Because the worst part of this specific exchange is that if you listen carefully, Trump has misunderstood what Zelenskyy is saying…
He talks over Zelenskyy, responding to a misapprehension — probably a projection — of what he thinks he’s trying to say … before he actually finishes saying it.
Zelenskyy: “First of all, during the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have nice ocean and don’t feel now. But you will feel it in the future. God bless –”
Trump: “You don’t know that. You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”
Zelenskyy was using the word “feel” to mean “notice” … “you will feel it in the future” … as in: pressure will be exerted which American will notice, externally. It will be apparent. It will have an effect.
What he’s not doing is pre-judging Trump — or America’s — feelings on the matter.
Trump however, assumes he’s saying “you’re going to have feelings about the pressure of Russia” which is something subtly, but crucially different.
Again. That’s not what Zelenskyy is trying to convey.
I suspect, given Trump’s close relationship with Putin, almost it seems as a father-figure — giving approval, compliments, noticing him, playing the part that Trump craves — that Trump feels immediately defensive about the idea that he might feel something negative towards this paternal character.
Trump clearly gets quite angry at the sense that someone is telling him about his feelings (towards his source of paternal approval) — which is a massive trigger for someone brought up by a narcissist. He immediately proceeds to burn the conversation to the ground.
A grown up would have listened carefully, avoided taking offence, considered what was really being said … and then reacted carefully and diplomatically.
A petulant man-baby on the other hand … will get angry at their misapprehension and throw their toys out of the pram because their projections are stronger than their grasp on reality.
And the 21st century — and the future of 100’s of millions of innocent people — will certainly have pivoted on that one, juvenile moment.
As Zelenskyy repeats again and again … “God bless” … God bless us all.
