The Theory of the Imaginaries of Translation

Abstract

Yves Bonnefoy conceives the imaginary as a diffuse and disparate entity composed of "the imaginations that make literature" (2013: 103) 1. This implies that human beings do not translate solely on the basis of their intellect and that the practice of translation often goes beyond the confines of reason. Looking back at German Romanticism, one can remember Novalis who advanced that literary translation is essentially a poetic activity The Theory of the Imaginaries of Translation Itinéraires, 2018-2 et 3 | 2019

Trends in global literary studies: Mapping using Open Access (OA) journals database

“…Literary studies that are mostly dominated by translational studies imply that currently literary researchers are not only from the realm of pure literature. That is, researchers in the field of literature do not only lead to the philosophy of literature, psychology of literature (Bezari, Raimondo, & Vuong, 2018), sociology of literature (Haddadian-Moghaddam, 2015), and anthropology of literature (Tihany, 2004); but current researchers from linguistics who study translation studies also examine literature because language also reviews literature. In addition, the study of literature in the perspective of translation studies shows that literature can be studied through the perspective of 'language' in the context of influence, similarity, or even plagiarism (see Philips, 2020;Dougherty, 2020;Jones, 2009).…”

Translation as a Cultural Event, a Journey, a Mediation, a Carnival of Creativity

“…Reception of Russian Literature: The "Imaginaries of Translation" 29 Translation Studies are replete with "theoretical works that focus on the work of individual translators, but accounts of translators' histories are often structured in an anecdotal and descriptive fashion, and constitute records of accomplishments or, frequently, discussions of translation 'errors' and infelicitous decisions". 30 However, more recent scholarship is "increasingly addressing the complexities of the role and legacy of the translator".…”

“…These meetings, whether real or imaginary, may lead to the production of new fiction that reflects the activity of translation or imaginary dialogues between the translator and the translated-a concept which has been labelled the "Imaginary of Translation", acknowledging "the subjectivity of translators, their psychological activities and their imaginary production". 32 This concept can be used to understand the dynamics of a different kind of literary reception, one mediated by the translator and touched by his or her imagination. To illustrate this point, I will briefly discuss below pertinent texts from the Marathi, Malayalam, and Hindi languages.…”