Literary Translation Research Articles

CONNECTION BETWEEN ARTISTIC EDITING AND ARTISTIC TRANSLATION

This scientific article investigates the necessity of adhering to linguistic norms and existing editorial principles when editing literary translations from foreign languages, taking into account the shared aspects of translation and editorial criteria. The study focuses on the quality of editing the Uzbek translation of the novel The Alchemist, compared to its English and Russian versions. It examines issues such as preserving the semantic features of the text during the editing process and provides suggestions and recommendations for addressing shortcomings that arise in the editorial process.

Translation Analysis of the Article in National Geographic Magazine Entitled “The End of Trash” by Robert Kunzig, 2020 Edition

This study aimed to identify the translation techniques and quality of the article "The End of Trash” from the 2020 edition of National Geographic Magazine. The data comprises sentences from three subchapters Food, Clothes, and Metal in both English and Indonesian. This research used a descriptive qualitative method to analyze data. The study identifies translation techniques based on Molina and Albir's (2002) theory and evaluates translation quality according to Nababan's (2012) framework. The analysis reveales 14 translation techniques, Established Equivalent (34.9%), Reduction (17.8%), Literal Translation (8.3%), Borrowing (6.9%), Amplification (6.6%), Discursive Creation (5.5%), Transposition (4.2%), Modulation (4.2%), Adaptation (3.1%), Calque (3%), Particularization (3%), Linguistic Compression (1%), Generalization and Linguistic Amplification at (0.6%). The quality assessment indicates a high level of accuracy, with 80.9% of the translations classified as accurate, 78.5% considered acceptable, and 80.1% readable. The study suggests that future research could explore other editions of National Geographic to provide a broader perspective on translation practices.

An Inquiry into the English Translation of Chinese Children's Literature from the Perspective of Reception Aesthetics: A Case Study of Bronze and Sunflower

An Inquiry into the English Translation of Chinese Children's Literature from the Perspective of Reception Aesthetics: A Case Study of Bronze and Sunflower

A Study on Translation Strategies for TCM Terminology Based on Knowledge Translation Theory

This study explores translation strategies for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) terminology within a cross-cultural context, focusing on the application of three strategies: literal translation, paraphrase, and domesticated transliteration, in the categories of knowledge congruence and knowledge differentiation. Based on specific terms from the "WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine," this paper employs literature review and case analysis to examine how TCM terminology can effectively convey its medical implications and cultural background in a cross-cultural setting. The research aims to reveal how different translation strategies can achieve the accurate transmission of medical knowledge in the translation of TCM terms, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for the international dissemination of TCM terminology.

ANALYSIS OF GOOGLE TRANSLATE’S TRANSLATION AND THE AUTHOR’S FROM ALBANIAN TO SERBIAN LANGUAGE

Literary translation, as one of the most complex forms of translation, requires a special approach and attention, given that it involves not only conveying meanings but also preserving the style of the original text. Although the translation of texts using various online tools is becoming increasingly common today, the question arises - are these tools advanced enough, and can they replace the translation done by human authors? As our corpus material, we used specific excerpts from the first chapter of Ismail Kadare’s novel ‘The Palace of Dreams,’ which we translated using Google Translate and compared with the Serbian translation of this novel by Shkëlzen Maliqi. The aim of the paper is to examine the reliability of machine translation, i.e. analysing the mistakes it makes, compared to the translation of competent and professional translators. The comparison process is based on different linguistic disciplines, and we have come to the conclusions that Google Translate has not yet improved enough to become the main tool in the translation of literary texts, where professional translators still play a key role. Of course, the question arises - whether it would perform better in translating other types of literary texts or in translating different language groups, considering its diverse corpus of literary texts in its memory?

SELECTIVE AND ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CLASSICAL PERSIAN LITERATURE TRANSLATED INTO ALBANIAN

Persian literature, with its deep-rooted connection to Sufi thought, found fertile ground for spreading in the Balkans, facilitated by the Ottoman Empire’s expansion. The establishment of Sufi orders in Albania led to the expansion of Persian mystical texts and the translation of significant Persian classical literature into Albanian. This study aims to review and introduce classical Persian literary works that have been translated into Albanian and consequently recorded in library repositories. Using advanced searches in COBISS instances for Albania, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, and Serbia with the Boolean query “LO=per AND LA=alb” (original language Persian & translation language Albanian), and the database of National Library of Albania (NLA) the results indicate that notable Persian classical literary works have been translated into Albanian. While a brief overview of classical Persian literature is provided, the study highlights how Persian literary and spiritual texts have been popular in the region, especially in Albania.

A Polysystem Perspective in C-E Translation for Global Communication

While polysystem theory is widely applied to literary translation research,there is a lack of observation on C-E translation for global communication(C-E TGC) from the perspective of polysystem. On one hand, the cultural attributes of polysystem theory make it applicable to the analysis of all cultural phenomena. C-E TGC, a translating activity aiming at cultural communication, is no exception. On the other hand, the polysystem theory is particularly suitable to be adopted in the study of C-E TGC, for the translation subsystem, with its task of constructing discourse system and national image, inevitably overlaps and conflicts with other cultural sub-systems. Only when placing it under a multidimensional and dynamic framework can we see clearly the features of C-E TGC. However, the simplistic and abstract tendency of the polysystem theory also implies that it needs to be further refined and expanded in the study of specific issues, especially in the study of C-E TGC, which should incorporate the source language cultural system into the study.

Eco-Feminism and Translation: A Critical Reading of Abdel Rahman Munif's Cities of Salt

The complexities of language, society, and artistic expressions make literary works like novels difficult to translate. Translators encounter several problems such as cultural subtleties, colloquial idioms, distinctive writing styles, and other poetic aspects. Literary translation is a challenging process that necessitates a profound comprehension of the cultural and contextual nuances of the source material in addition to language proficiency. The Arabic novel Cities of Salt was written by Abdelrahman Munif, and was successfully translated into several languages, including English. Peter Theroux completed the English translation that was initially released in 1987, and he is the one who paved the way for opening up Munif's writing to a wider English-speaking community. The translated version preserves the novel's exploration of the impact of the oil industry on an unnamed Arab Gulf state and its reflection on the profound social, economic, and cultural changes brought about by rapid industrialization. Cities of Salt by Abdul Rahman Munif is a rich exploration of environmental exploitation and gender dynamics in the context of the Arab Gulf region's transformation due to the oil industry. The novel offers a nuanced portrayal of the interconnected challenges faced by communities grappling with rapid industrialization and its far-reaching consequences on both the environment and societal structures, including gender roles. Moreover, this research paper reveals how the exploitation of land mirrors the exploitation of women. The destruction of the environment echoes the silencing and erasure of women's voices and agency. Through an eco-feminist lens, the paper exposes the interconnectedness between the oppression of nature and the oppression of women, both subjected to exploitation, commodification, and dispossession. Because this novel is a quintet, this paper examines excerpts from the first volume, Al-Teeh, which better fit the study’s argument.

Depiction of Uzbek agricultural practices and the everyday lives of its people as portrayed in literary works

This article investigates the depiction of Uzbek agricultural practices and the everyday lives of its people as portrayed in early 20th-century literary works. By analyzing selected texts, this study explores how authors of the period represented the agricultural landscape, farming techniques, and social dynamics within Uzbek society. The research further examines the challenges and intricacies involved in translating these cultural depictions into English, with a particular focus on Gafur Gulom's "Shum Bola" (Naughty Boy). The study highlights the translator's role in preserving the original cultural nuances while conveying the text's meaning to an English-speaking audience. Through this analysis, the article underscores the complexities of literary translation, especially in maintaining the authenticity of national characteristics in cross-cultural contexts.

Crossing Borders Between Languages: The Great Transition of Hindi Literary Translation with Special Reference to Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand

The surging number of Hindi speakers in recent decades raises an intriguing question: does the expanding influence of Hindi across India lead to the commensurate pan-Indianization or globalization of its literature? Despite its widespread use within the country, Hindi literature often remains overshadowed by Indian English literature (IEL), particularly on the global stage. It appears to be somewhat confined within regional boundaries. However, a transformative event occurred in 2022 when Geetanjali Shree, a Delhi-based Hindi novelist, clinched the prestigious International Booker Prize for her work, Tomb of Sand, originally titled Ret Samadhi in Hindi. The prize was equally shared between Geetanjali Shree, the writer, and Daisy Rockwell, the translator. With this award, Tomb of Sand has emerged as a symbol of Hindi literary translation, heralding a significant transition in the Hindi literary translation scene. This paper aims to explore the challenges and prospects of Hindi literary translation in the era of the great transition, focusing specifically on the translation methods and strategies employed in Tomb of Sand. Through this analysis, I intend to contribute to the ongoing scholarly discourse concerning the promotion and appreciation of Hindi literature in international literary circles.

Compositional structure of prefaces to Chinese translations of Russian literature: cultural perspective

Compositional structure of prefaces to Chinese translations of Russian literature: cultural perspective

Sign language literary translations: linguistic, dramatic and technological aspects

The research reported here considers how norms of Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) literature (Sutton-Spence, 2021) operate with deaf translation norms (Stone, 2005) and literary translation norms (Toury, 1995) to create some potential norms of deaf literary translation. Presenting some considerations upon the concept of the “visual” in Libras literature and translation, we draw upon translations in three different genres of literature, made by three deaf translators, to understand better the key multimodal relationships between signed literature, written texts, images and video editing in literary translation. Analyzed in terms of the linguistic, dramatic and technological elements (Bartolomei; Perreira, 2021), we show how the translations create acceptable target language texts by focusing on the visual esthetics of the texts.

КӨРКӨМ КОТОРМОДО САНАРИПТИК ТЕХНОЛОГИЯЛАРДЫ КОЛДОНУУ

In today's world, digital technologies play a key role in the field of translation, especially in a formal business context. However, their use in the translation of fiction remains less common. This article explores the possibilities of using digital methods in pre-translation activities and evaluates their effectiveness in the context of translating literary works. Special attention is paid to the issues of introducing digital technologies into the work of a translator of literary texts and their potential application in teaching. Using the example of the translation of Kyrgyz poetry, the problems arising from the use of digital means, including machine translation, are considered. This article offers an analysis of the possibilities and limitations of digital technologies in the context of translating literary texts in order to improve the quality and speed of translation. Digital technologies are actively being introduced into the work of a translator, especially in such areas as written translation in official business discourse. Digital technologies are used less often in the translation of fiction, but such techniques allow for pre-translation activities. In other words, it provides a literal translation of the text and helps to find the literal meaning of each word in the dictionary. However, some digital methods can be successfully used in the translation of literary works.

Activating Translation: Louise Varèse’s Illuminations

ABSTRACT Against historically determined conventions that helped launch her career as a translator of French literature in the mid-twentieth century, this article reconsiders Louise Varèse’s translation of Arthur Rimbaud’s Illuminations, published with New Directions in 1946, as activating a range of cultural, historical, and critical interpretations that are not always anticipated by her source text. I read Varèse’s claims about rendering the “prismatic and protean quality” of Illuminations in her Translator’s Note, alongside Marjorie Perloff’s theory of Rimbaud’s “poetics of indeterminacy,” and translation Studies scholar Matthew Reynolds’s prismatic model of translation, to reframe Varèse’s much-lauded “accuracy” as an approach that instead highlights the interdependent relationship between Rimbaud’s French poetic text and its English translation, while also foregrounding Varèse’s historical and cultural intervention. Through a close textual analysis of “Side-Show,” Varèse’s English translation of Rimbaud’s poem “Parade,” and Varèse’s revision of the poem from 1957, I demonstrate the ways Varèse’s translation “activates” Rimbaud’s language for her English readers while thematizing the secondary nature of her translation.

Three Faces of Heroism: An Empirical Study of Indirect Literary Translation Between Chinese-English-Portuguese of Wuxia Fiction

Abstract This paper conducts an empirical study using digital humanities to explore the indirect translation of Chinese contemporary literature, focusing on a Portuguese version of Jin Yong’s A Hero Born: The Legend of the Condor Heroes derived from its English translation. Employing BERTopic modeling, it quantifies thematic changes related to heroism in the translation process from Chinese through English to Portuguese. This study examines how Chinese concepts of heroism are adapted or rewritten in translation, exploring the notion of intermediate translations as “secondhand” and “distorted” from digital humanities perspective. By applying the zero-shot BERTopic model, the research allows for a quantitative comparative analysis of topic distribution across the original, intermediate, and final translation texts. The findings aim to enrich translation studies by demonstrating how Chinese cultural concepts are transformed and circulated through indirect translation, providing a data-driven insight into the global dissemination and reception of Wuxia literature.

Translation of Social Media Posts: Saudi Football Clubs Social Media Posts as Case Study

This study examines the translation strategies employed by Saudi football clubs Al Hilal and Al Nassr on their Arabic and English X accounts. Using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative content analysis and qualitative discourse analysis, the research analyzed tweets over a 6-month period to evaluate translation accuracy, cultural adaptations, and engagement metrics. Findings revealed that both clubs predominantly use literal translation, but also employ cultural adaptation, paraphrasing, omission and addition strategies. Al Hilal's translations were found to be slightly more accurate than Al Nassr's. Culturally adapted posts generally received higher engagement from international audiences. The study identified challenges in translating sports-specific terminology and cultural references. While the clubs showed similar overall translation approaches, differences emerged in their handling of culturally-specific content. The research provides insights into effective bilingual social media strategies for football clubs seeking to expand their global reach, highlighting the importance of balancing linguistic accuracy with cultural sensitivity in sports communication.

Some coordinates for mapping a literary translation activism

Abstract Translation and activism have been closely linked in the scholarly discourse. It is hard to parse out, however, the goals and contours of a specifically literary translation activism (LTA), particularly as it may intersect with literary activism, literary advocacy, and other forms of praxis. What constitutes an act of literary translation activism? And what forms are literary translation activism taking, and how does a text become activist? The answers have implications for literary translators’ self-concept, agency, and identity construction as well as the ethics involved. LTA is manifested in prizegiving, framing, choice of language, adapting, choosing texts (or even refusing translation), translation strategy, memorializing, heightening status, ‘reinventing’ literary affiliation, and changemaking or awareness-raising for extraliterary causes. After taking stock of some of literary translation activism’s forms and even caveats, I draw some paths for a pedagogy of LTA, which can play a constitutive role in drawing the field’s boundaries.

The Market Life of Japanese Literature in Postwar America: Knopf, Translation, and the Archives of Cultural Commerce

This article examines the aesthetic and economic forms of judgment that guided the Japanese literature translation program at the American publisher Alfred A. Knopf Inc. in the 1950s—1970s. During these years, the editor Harold Strauss coordinated Knopf’s ambitious translation program that made dozens of recently written Japanese novels available in English to an American audience. This article provides a fresh perspective on Knopf’s well-known Japanese literature translation program by understanding it to be an illuminating case study that reveals how the practical business of cultural commerce mixes aesthetic and economic modes of valuation, producing provocative connections that link what might otherwise seem to be the antagonistic realms of art and the market. Guided by documents held in the Knopf corporate archive, the article shows how the aesthetics of modern Japanese literature and the economics of publishing each encountered the other in the transactional territory of translation.

VINAY AND DARBELNET’S TRANSLATING PROCEDURES USED IN TRANSLATING: ‘THE VILLAGE LEADER’ CHILDREN’S SHORT STORY BY ALYSSON CURRO

This study analyzed the translation procedures used in the translation of the children's short story "The Village Leader" from English to Indonesian. The study found that literal translation was the only translation procedure used in the translation of the story. Literal translation is a direct translation procedure that translates word-by-word processes with consideration towards the grammar and idiomatic structures from the source language to the target language. The high frequency of literal translation usage in this study suggests its importance in maintaining the original meaning and context of the story, ensuring that the translated version is easily understood by the target audience, especially children. The study highlights the importance of translation in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps, especially in the context of children's literature. The research method used in the study, which involved qualitative analysis and content analysis, was appropriate for in-depth understanding of the messages, values, and social context contained in the story.

Research on the Translation and Influence of LiaoZhai ZhiYi in 20th Century Russia

With the accelerated exchange of different civilizations in the context of globalization, the overseas dissemination of Chinese classic literature is also playing an increasingly important role in shaping national cultural confidence. Since the beginning of the 21st century, cultural exchanges between China and Russia have become increasingly close, and the two countries have also invested key attention in the relationship between Russian literature and Chinese literature. In the past, research on the Russian translation of Chinese literature was mostly limited to the field of translation and cultural customs, while there was a lack of attention to the phenomenon of Chinese literature entering the creation of Russian writers. This leads to a lack of concrete and clear experience and theory in exploring the overseas dissemination of Chinese classic literature and promoting mutual learning and learning among different civilizations in the new situation of cultural exchange. Liaozhai Zhiyi represents the highest achievement of ancient Chinese classical short stories and is also an outstanding representative of Chinese supernatural and legendary novels. This article intends to provide an overview of the dissemination process of Pu Songling's " LiaoZhai ZhiYi " in 20th century Russia from a historical perspective, using a literature review method; On this basis, comprehensively accepting theories, comparative literary principles, etc., this study analyzes the influence of "LiaoZhai ZhiYi" on contemporary Russian literature in the 20th century, as well as the reasons and motivations behind this phenomenon. Research has found that since the beginning of the 20th century, the motivation to seek a national way out and reshape national values has driven Russia to turn its attention to China, and the characteristics of legendary supernatural novels have garnered a lot of attention; As a result, "LiaoZhai ZhiYi" formed a continuous and tumultuous process of dissemination in Russia, with Alexeyev's translation having the greatest impact; On this basis, 20th century Russian literature has formed a phenomenon of displacement or displacement in terms of characters, cultural symbols, philosophical ideas, etc., providing specific references for mutual learning and mutual learning between different cultures.