Αστραδενή (Astradení) / Stregata dalle stelle
Translation agency and habitus in the Greek-Italian literature dyad
Published online: 16 March 2022
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00259.hou
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00259.hou
Abstract
The article deals with the notions of translation agency and habitus, while applying Mixed Methods and using interviewing as the primary source of information. The target text examined is the Italian translation of the book by Ευγενία Φακίνου (Evghenía Fakínou), Αστραδενή (Astradení), translated as Stregata dalle stelle by Claretta Candotti (publishers Κέδρος [Kédros] in Greece and Crocetti Editore in Italy). In applying Mixed Methods, my analysis follows Lieven D’hulst’s Translation History model, based on some of his eight Latin loci (quis, quid, ubi, quibus auxillis, cur, quomodo, quando, cui bono), with the aim of examining translation agency. In particular, I try to highlight the interaction between the author, the translator, the publishers, and the institutions promoting translation. Moreover, exploring sociological approaches to translation, I attempt to evince how Pierre Bourdieu’s notions of habitus and capital may have played a role in the translational choices of these agents. Most of the data collected derives from a tailor-made questionnaire (Annex I). The answers to the questionnaire, as well as the interview material, are exemplified through targeted, yet necessarily limited, textual analysis. The conclusion highlights the surprising lack of synergies between the translation agents in this particular Greek-Italian context: the deficient communication between author and translator, lack of institutionalized cooperation between Greek and Italian Publishers, and underdeveloped institutional framework for bilateral, state-sponsorship of Greek-Italian literary translations, although the Italian publisher obtained European funding.
Résumé
L’article aborde les notions de translation agency et d’habitus, tout en utilisant des méthodes mixtes et une interview ciblée, comme source principale d’information. Le texte examiné ici est la traduction en italien du livre de Ευγενία Φακίνου (Evghenía Fakínou), Αστραδενή (Astradení), traduit comme Stregata dalle stelle par Claretta Candotti (editions Κέδρος [Kédros]/Grèce et Crocetti Editore/Italie). En applicant les méthodes mixtes, notre analyse suit le modèle d’histoire de la traduction de D’hulst, en se basant sur quelques-uns de ses huit loci latins (quis, quid, ubi, quibus auxillis, cur, quomodo, quando, cui bono), quoique non pas dans leur contexte historiographique, mais plutôt en mettant l’accent sur la translation agency. Mon effort se concentrera en particulier sur l’interaction entre l’auteur, la traductrice, les éditions et les institutions promouvant la traduction. En plus, en me basant aussi sur les approches sociologiques en traductologie, j’essaierai d’éclairer dans quelle mesure les notions d’habitus et de capital, selon Bourdieu, ont influencé les choix de traduction des agents. La plupart des données rassemblées émanent d’un questionnaire sur mesure (Annexe 1). Les réponses au questionnaire ainsi que des éléments des interviews sont exemplifiés, forcément d’une manière assez limitée, par une analyse textuelle ciblée. Dans les conclusions, je tente de mettre en exergue le fait, plutôt surprenant, du manque de synergies entre les agents de traduction, dans le contexte gréco-italien: communication déficitaire entre l’auteur et la traductrice, absence de coopération entre les maisons d’éditions grecque et italienne, cadre institutionnel sous-développé de patronage étatique pour les traductions du grec vers l’italien et vice versa, bien que les éditions italiennes aient pu obtenir un financement européen.
Article outline
- Introduction
- Translation agency and habitus
- Methodology: Mixed methods
- The three Latin loci of the case
- Quis
- Ubi
- Quibis auxiliis
- Some (para)textual analysis
- A question of title
- Typography
- Dialectical and culture-related vocabulary
- Conclusions
- Notes
References
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