An Etat Présent of the Kurdish literature in English translation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Inspired by studies on minority language in translation and feminist translation studies, this article presents an analysis of a small corpus of Kurdish literature in English translation and examine the process of its constitution, its main actors and practices, and the image of Kurdish literature it depicts. In the absence of state and institutional support, Kurdish translation initiatives are largely individual supply-driven and they entail a form of activism. Presenting a historical overview of Kurdish literary translation into English, we illustrate the diversity of actors in its complex evolution. We examine the opportunities collaborative practices such as co-translation offer Kurdish as a stateless minority language but also the perils of such practices in reinforcing the minority and dominated status of Kurdish. Finally we assess the (re)presentation of Kurdish literature in English translation and demonstrate that it is at odds with the Kurdish canons.