Final answer:
The issue highlighted is a translation of Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex, which demonstrates the complexities of translating philosophy. The zoologist Parshlety's inadequate expertise led to the misinterpretation and alteration of the original text, showing the importance of proper translation and subject matter understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject matter of your inquiry relates to literary works and the intricate history that accompanies their translation and publication. Specifically, the tale of Simone de Beauvoir and her renowned work, The Second Sex, highlights the complexities and potential issues surrounding translation and the conveyance of philosophical thought.
In the incident you've described, de Beauvoir's existential feminist philosophy was extensively misinterpreted by Howard M. Parshlety, a zoologist with no firm grounding in her area of expertise. His lack of understanding led to a translation that paraphrased and omitted significant portions of the original work, which in this case, reflected not just a language translation but also an ill-considered interpretation of the author's original intent and meaning. The impact of such translation on the work's reception and understanding cannot be understated, as it essentially alters the work's original intellectual and philosophical contributions.
Instances such as these underscore the critical importance of not only language proficiency but also subject matter expertise in the translation process, particularly for works that delve into specialized areas such as philosophy. They also highlight the effects that external perceptions and biases can have on the dissemination of an author's original ideas.