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Article published In: What can research on indirect translation do for Translation Studies?:
Edited by Hanna Pięta, Laura Ivaska and Yves Gambier
[Target 34:3] 2022
► pp. 419–440

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On the role of indirect translation in the history of news production

 | South China Business College (SCBC) | University of Oviedo | University of the Free State
Published online: 16 August 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1075/target.00011.val
Abstract
This article aims to problematize the role of translation in news production as a result of the invisibility of indirect translation (ITr). In the first section, I argue that in journalistic translation ITr is not merely ‘hidden translation’ but rather ‘ignored translation’ as a consequence of the traditional status of the translational activity in journalism and because researchers can hardly find traces of ITr in news production, such as the name of sources, attributions, or paratexts. I then move on to discuss the importance of the various forms of translation in the emergence of journalism in the early modern period. Human conflicts and movement meant that news texts were recycled across Europe, often via ITr. News writers used various sources from different languages and adapted the texts taking into account political and cultural considerations. This establishes a link with contemporary journalism, as news articles are characterized by their multi-authored nature. In addition, translations can be embedded and are often circular rather than linear. In the concluding discussion, I suggest that journalistic translation research, including research into ITr, can benefit not only from interdisciplinary approaches, but also from incorporating historical aspects.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Indirect translation in early modern news texts
    • 2.1Language, translation, and power in early modern news translation
    • 2.2The role of human movement and conflicts in translated news
    • 2.3Indirect translation and news recycling
    • 2.4The multi-authored natured of translated news
    • 2.5The status of languages in news production
    • 2.6Linear versus circular indirect translations
    • 2.7Indirect translation as a political tool
    • 2.8The multi-directionality of news translation
  • 3.Final discussion
  • References
References (60)
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