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Article published In: FORUM
Vol. 19:1 (2021) ► pp.65–82

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On the translator’s voice from the paratextual perspective–exemplified by Goldblatt’s English translation of Red Sorghum and Massage

 | Shanghai International Studies University
Published online: 11 June 2021
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https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.20018.wan
Abstract
The paper explores the translator’s voice from the paratextual perspective combined with a descriptive case study of Goldblatt’s English translation of Red Sorghum: A Novel of China and Massage. In the multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary integrated analytical framework of narrative stylistics and socio-translation studies, the author argues that the translator’s voice could be studied at two levels, i.e. narrative voice in the target text as well as peritext and situational voice in the translation process. Paratexts could be employed to endorse the existence of narrative voice. Besides, paratexts serve to shed light on the implied multiplicity of situational voice and probe into the pivotal parts of the translator therein. The article aims to strengthen the bonds between paratexts and the translator’s voice, enrich the theory on the translator’s voice and further feed vigor into the field of translation studies. Meanwhile, the study deduces implications for enhancing the international communication of Chinese literature.
Résumé
Cet article étudie la voix du traducteur du point de vue paratextuel en se basant sur une étude descriptive du cas de la traduction anglaise de Goldblatt du Clan du sorgho rouge et de Les Aveugles. Dans le cadre analytique intégré multidisciplinaire et transdisciplinaire de la stylistique narrative et des études de socio-traduction, l’auteur estime que la voix du traducteur peut être étudiée à deux niveaux, à savoir la voix narrative dans le péritexte et le texte cible et la voix situationnelle dans le processus de la traduction. Les paratextes pourraient être utilisés pour confirmer l’existence de la voix narrative. En outre, les paratextes servent à éclairer sur la multiplicité implicite de la voix situationnelle et à sonder la partie pivot du traducteur. L’article vise à renforcer les liens entre les paratextes et la voix du traducteur, à enrichir la théorie sur la voix du traducteur et à donner plus de vigueur au domaine des études de traduction. En même temps, l’étude vise à renforcer la communication internationale de la littérature chinoise.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Survey of theories on the translator’s voice
    • 2.2Previous studies on paratexts and the translator’s voice
  • 3.Case study of the translator’s voice: A paratextual perspective
    • 3.1Example one from the perspective of phraseological shift
    • 3.2Example two from the perspective of psychological shift
    • 3.3Example three from the perspective of spatio-temporal shift
    • 3.4Example four from the perspective of ideological shift
  • 4.Conclusion
  • References
References (41)
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