The Role of Cultural Translation for Literary Historiography

Handbook of Translation Studies: Eds. Yves Gambier and Luc van Doorslaer. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. Vol. 5, 2021

World literature and translation are irrevocably intertwined both historically and theoretically. Historically, if one turns to the most famous-though not uniqueconceptual coinage for naming the field of supranational literary relations-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's term Weltliteratur, it needs to be stressed that both the term and the underlying reflection were indebted to the experience of reading a Chinese work in translation (see Purdy 2014). In fact, this experience is shared by most readers across time and space, insofar as there are limits to the ability to master several languages. Theoretically, translation plays a key role, though not always an intrinsically positive one, in most definitions of world literature (see also Literary translation 2). Rather than undertaking a survey of each definition, which would be highly reiterative, it is more instructive, in this regard, to take into consideration the four theoretical genealogies proposed by Jérôme David (2013). The "philological genealogy" engages "an imaginary of the more or less difficult passage of texts from one language to another, from one nation to another, from one culture to another" (David 2013: 14) and, consequently, translation is at its core. For the "critical genealogy", world literature "took place under the dual auspices of the challenge of the national scale and of the elitist adhesion to a very normative definition of literature" (David 2013: 17). Here, translation is in tension between works which do not translate well due to their national uniqueness and works which seem to have been written with translation in mind, such as commercial or popular works, which the second register of this genealogy excludes from world literature. For the "pedagogical genealogy", translation is an indispensable tool for the "conversation", whether between "living writers who would discuss their works and respective literature" (David 2013: 19) or by students who approach world literary works in survey seminars. The "methodological genealogy", finally, is more elusive in terms of the role of translation because, in this case, world literature is not "so much an object but a challenge-a challenge that demands a radical, epistemological litmus test of literary studies" (ibid.: 23). For determining the role played by translation, if any, one needs to take into consideration each single challenge, each single "thought experiment" (ibid.: 22). Erich Auerbach's experiment, for example, consists of writing a history of "the interpretation of reality through literary representation or 'imitation'", for which he had to "forego discussing the rise of

The development of literature and culture in all countries of the world is closely connected with translation activities. But why is there a need for translation? This article is devoted to the study of this problem, as well as a description of the main changes in translation trends in the course of history. Translators contribute to enriching the treasury of world literature. In this regard, translation serves as a golden bridge between peoples, nations, countries. Thus, every people, every nation in the world, joining the unique works created by other peoples, enriching our spirituality, contributes to the treasury of universal culture. Therefore, there are no languages, nations, countries in the world that would develop in their own shell without the influence of other related languages, nations, countries.

2015

Este trabalho é financiado por Fundos Nacionais da FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia no âmbito do projeto PEst-OE/ELT/UI0126/2013.

Translation and World Literature, 2018

Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Research (JIMR), 2024

To quote Gunter Grass: “Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes.”In today's increasingly interconnected and multicultural world, there is a pressing need to critically evaluate the cultural dimensions and diversities of a new literary canon. As global literary landscapes continue to evolve, the role of translation emerges as a pivotal factor in mediating cross-cultural literary experiences and expanding the boundaries of literary canons. Translation plays a vital role in bridging the gap between languages, ensuring that the originally felt emotions and perspectives are effectively communicated. In the context of Indian literature, particularly Indian English literature, translation has been integral, providing opportunities for audiences to understand diverse viewpoints. In the era of globalization, translators are widely recognized as artists on par with authors in any genre. Henry Wordsworth Longfellowhas excellentlydescribed the role of the translator: “A Translator, like a witness on the stand, should hold up his right hand and swear to “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. ”A remarkable translation goes beyond mere literal interpretation; it involves skillfully rewriting the original text to resonate with and captivate its audience. This research paper explores the integral part played by translation in forming and evolving literary canons, emphasizing the cultural dimensions that underpin this dynamic process. Drawing upon case studies and theoretical frameworks, it investigates how translations facilitate the exchange of ideas, narratives, and cultural perspectives across linguistic borders. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted role played by translation in reshaping literary canons within a multicultural context. By emphasizing its influence on cultural representation, diversity, and inclusivity, this study explores the transformative potential of translated texts in shaping the global literary landscape, fostering intercultural dialogue, and embracing diverse cultural perspectives.

Offering an original reconceptualization of literary translation, Clive Scott argues against traditional approaches to the theory and practice of translation. Instead, he suggests that translation should attend more to the phenomenology of reading, triggering creative textual thinking in the responsive reader rather than testing the hermeneutic skills of the professional translator. In this new guise, translation enlists the reader as an active participant in the constant re-fashioning of the text's structural, associative, intertextual and inter-sensory possibilities, so that our larger understanding of ecology, anthropology, comparative literature and aesthetics is fundamentally transformed and our sense of the expressive resources of language is radically extended. Literary translation thus assumes an existential value which takes us beyond the text itself to how it situates us in the world, and what part it plays in the geography of human relationships.

Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 2013

In most societies literary translation is of vital importance for the very progress of the human society. Meanwhile, within this field, translation of culture -specific items is the challenging task to be performed by a translator. Translation is mainly concerned with a multitude of human relationships, involving the transposition of thoughts expressed in one language by one social group into the appropriate expression of another group. It entails a process of cultural decoding, re-coding and en-coding. More and more each day cultures are brought into greater contact with one another and the translator is greatly entailed with numberless of multicultural considerations. Therefore, they influence us when we are trying to comprehend a text before finally translating it. This is because we are not just dealing with words written in a certain time, space and sociopolitical situation but in a certain "cultural" aspect that should be taken into account. This whole process is reflected before the eyes of the target reader and it should make him feel the text credible. Thus, in the present paper attempts are made to explore the concept of literary translation. Finally, the discussion is restricted to culture-specific items, presenting the possible relevant solutions.