Found Audio by N.J. Campbell

Author:N.J. Campbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Two Dollar Radio

[End Of Tape II]

3Here, concurrently with the narrator speaking for ten seconds, I hear several doors open and close. Two of wood, three of metal.

4Here, concurrently with the narrator speaking for six seconds, I hear two or three flies buzzing around the microphone.

5This last conversation appears transcripted without translation for several reasons. First, and most simply, each individual phrase is difficult to translate, on its own, into English. Second, when taken as a whole within the broader context of the conversation, each phrase’s contextual meaning changes in ways which amount to very difficult, different, and layered individual translations, such that, in all likelihood, the five speakers could be discussing one thing, several things, or one thing and several things simultaneously. Finally, it occurs to me that because of the strange nature of the conversation itself, it could, rather than have any conversational meaning, be a code or linguistic key. The phrases, uttered as they are, could signify identity or initiate some broader context, such as a meeting or event.

Because this has been such a difficult aspect of the project, I’ve dedicated a large amount of time to it, and, although any translation attempt in a situation such as this is likely to end in failure, I’ve still worked out several possible frameworks for context and meaning that I’ve included with the relatively literal translation below:

‘The fear of time running out, important opportunities passing and coming to terms with what has been lost.’

‘Favorably, of course—with a hope that we can make this work to our advantage…’

‘Overwhelmed by the reflection of the sun?’

‘A shift of body and mind with the call of the void…’

‘Being.’

At first, this may seem like a meaningless arrangement, and, in the event that it is a key, it very likely is in terms of any recognizable, coherent value. Though, when taken only in the context of the content as it appears on the tape itself, the statements do have a type of linguistic momentum.

Perhaps, the first speaker is referring to the fear the American narrator felt in his confusion, perhaps fear that something else will be lost in relationship to that event, either to the American or the broader group making the recording.

Going from there, the second statement could be an optimistic clarification. Specifically, the clarification to turn this or these events in the favor of either the American or the group.

At that point, the third statement reads very differently than it might have. Literally, it makes almost no sense, but if we take the meaning of the first two statements more allegorically, the arrangement is thus:

‘Fear of things coming and things past.’

‘I hope we can still make this work.’

‘When it’s shined into the eyes, it can be overwhelming.’

Taken in that way, the third statement builds upon the fear and uncertainty of the first and second and creates a progression of commentary on whatever experience or experiences the group is discussing.

As for the forth, it fits perfectly into that allegorical context, continuing a theme of uncertainty and distress.

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