Threads of control
Understanding sources of censorial power in translation
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.
For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.
Open Access publication of this article was funded through a Transformative Agreement with KU Leuven.
Published online: 7 October 2024
https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.24002.kar
https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.24002.kar
Abstract
This article delves into the intricate relationship between translation and censorship, unraveling the
multifaceted tapestry woven by historical, societal, economic, and personal threads. Exploring the genealogy of censorship, the
study identifies four distinct sources of censorial power — state and religious institutions, social structures, market forces,
and individual idiosyncrasies. From the overt regulatory mechanisms of totalitarian regimes to the subtle influences of structural
censorship and market-driven constraints, the article navigates the challenges posed to freedom of expression within the dynamic
realm of translation. Drawing from historical examples and theoretical frameworks, the discussion highlights the impact of
censorship on translators and translated works, illustrating how institutional, societal, economic, and personal forces shape
communicative landscapes. By scrutinizing these diverse facets, this article offers a comprehensive understanding of the
complexities surrounding translation censorship, encouraging ongoing examination of the ever-evolving forces shaping the world of
translation.
Résumé
Cet article examine la relation complexe entre la traduction et la censure, dévoilant la tapisserie
multiforme tissée par des fils historiques, sociétaux, économiques et personnels. En explorant la généalogie de la censure,
l’étude identifie quatre sources distinctes du pouvoir de censure : les institutions étatiques et religieuses, les structures
sociales, les forces du marché et les particularités individuelles. Des mécanismes régulateurs manifestes des régimes totalitaires
aux influences subtiles de la censure structurelle et aux contraintes dictées par le marché, l’article navigue à travers les défis
posés à la liberté d’expression dans le domaine dynamique de la traduction. En s’appuyant sur des exemples historiques et des
cadres théoriques, la discussion met en lumière l’impact de la censure sur les traducteurs et les œuvres traduites, illustrant
comment les forces institutionnelles, sociétales, économiques et personnelles façonnent les paysages communicatifs. En scrutant
ces divers aspects, cet article offre une compréhension approfondie des complexités entourant la censure dans la traduction,
encourageant un examen continu des forces en constante évolution qui façonnent le monde de la traduction.
Mots-clés : traduction, censure, censure institutionnelle, censure structurelle, censure du marché
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 1.1What is censorship?
- 1.2Censorship in translated vs. non-translated literature
- 2.The genealogy of censorship
- 2.1State and religious institutions
- 2.2Social structures
- 2.3Market forces
- 2.4Individual idiosyncrasies
- 3.Concluding remarks
- Acknowledgments
- Note
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