4-20-09 Freewrite

The disagreement between N. Katherine Hayles and Peter Shillinsburg concerning the value of a text that goes through the process of media translation leads to a difficult and complicated discussion. The process of media translation could conceivably take on many different forms depending on the type of text and the choice of methods by the person/s that "translate" the text. In some methods of media translation, a text can become more difficult to read. For example, a scanned document could appear somewhat faded or blurry on a computer. This would definitely take something away from the text. However, other forms of media translation could make a text easier to read. An example of this could include someone retyping a printed text using a word processing program. This specific example could allow for a printed document that is difficult to read to be translated into an electronic document that is clear and easy to read. These simple examples prove that the process of media translation has the potential to both better and worsen a text in some way, shape, or form. However, it is clear that regardless of whether a text gains something or loses something, the text will be changed.