Abstract
This paper intends to explore challenges in translating terms and concepts of the social sciences within the frame of scholarly texts of translation studies translated into Turkish. Conceptual problems in the translation of scholarly texts in translation studies arise both from the “interdisciplinary” and “independent” nature of the field. Given the interdisciplinary nature of translation studies, key concepts of the influential movements of thought from adjacent fields pose challenges for the translator. Furthermore, terms which specifically belong to the field of translation studies require the translator to be familiar with the literature of the field in both source and target languages. Immanuel Wallerstein’s suggestions for translating concepts of the social sciences are evaluated within this context with certain reservations. The translator of the scholarly texts of translation studies encounters challenges both with regard to “commonly shared” and “specific” concepts. Already existent Turkish translations of “common” concepts shared with the other disciplines are often diverse and varied, while some of the “specific” concepts of the field have not yet been translated. Both instances bring to the fore the translator’s agency as the decision-maker who makes informed decisions among various alternatives. Examples [i] of two Derridean concepts and two terms specific to the field of translation studies are provided to illustrate the problem-solving and decision-making process of the translator. Keywords: Concept translation, Derridaen concepts, common concepts, specific concepts, translator’s agency [i] Examples are selected from my unpublished translations (completed for MA and PhD projects) of Arrojo (1995), Arrojo (1998) and Hermans (2007).
Highlights
Translation Studies is often considered an interdiscipline closely related to other disciplines such as linguistics, literary theory, historiography, psychoanalysis, philosophy, sociology and cultural studies; which often give rise to “turns” in translation studies.ii Wolf (2007) explains this as follows: This results partly from the fact that its subject is by nature located in the contact zones “between cultures”, and is exposed to different constellations of contextualisation and structures of communication, and from the make-up of the discipline itself. (p. 3)
Even one of the most prevalent terms such as idéologie used by Barthes in his “Que-est ce que la critique?” (What is Criticism?) is translated in three different ways as düşünce, ülkü and ideoloji as listed by Susam-Sarajeva in Appendix 5 of her PhD dissertation thesis
Rules or guidelines for translating concepts, such as the ones suggested by Wallerstein, are helpful to a certain degree but each specific concept needs to be evaluated and accounted for in its specific context
Summary
Translation Studies is often considered an interdiscipline closely related to other disciplines such as linguistics, literary theory, historiography, psychoanalysis, philosophy, sociology and cultural studies; which often give rise to “turns” in translation studies.ii Wolf (2007) explains this as follows: This results partly from the fact that its subject is by nature located in the contact zones “between cultures”, and is exposed to different constellations of contextualisation and structures of communication, and from the make-up of the discipline itself. (p. 3). Even one of the most prevalent terms such as idéologie used by Barthes in his “Que-est ce que la critique?” (What is Criticism?) is translated in three different ways as düşünce (thought), ülkü (ideal) and ideoloji (ideology) as listed by Susam-Sarajeva in Appendix 5 of her PhD dissertation thesis Another point made by Wallerstein (1981) about concepts is that, they are not “universally shared and are quite often the subject of open and violent conflict” Holmes’ “The Name and Nature of Translation Studies”v, first delivered as a conference paper in 1972, is considered to be the founding statement of translation studies as an independent discipline, which led to a proliferation of ideas, theories and concepts about translation Some of these terms and concepts have already been translated into Turkish but some are still waiting to be translated. Examples of the translations of two Derridaen concepts and two specific terms of translation studies are provided to demonstrate the translator’s problem-solving and decision-making process
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
