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Article published In: Target
Vol. 13:1 (2001) ► pp.81–102

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Translational migration of martial arts fiction East and West

 | City University of Hong Kong
Published online: 27 May 2002
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https://doi.org/10.1075/target.13.1.06mok
This paper explores the translational phenomenon of why so little of martial arts fiction has been translated into Western languages, compared to the copious amount into other Asian languages. Investigation into the translational migration of martial arts fiction demonstrates that the “normal” position assumed by translated literature tends to be a peripheral one. However, different patterns of behaviour can be observed, depending on the hegemonic relations between source and target cultures. In the West, martial arts fiction in English translation is being relegated to an extremely peripheral position. But martial arts fiction is able to make inroads into Asian countries, to the extent of stimulating a new literary form or (re)writing martial arts fiction in some indigenous languages.
Résumé
L’article s’interroge sur le faible taux des traductions en langues occidentales de textesfictionnels ayant pour sujet les arts martiaux, en comparaison avec le chiffre élevé destraductions relevant du même genre qui sont produites en des langues asiatiques. Desrecherches portant sur le phénomène de la migration traductive de ces textes montrent quela position “normale” de ces traductions tend à être périphérique. On peut également citerd’autres types de comportement, qui dépendent des relations de domination entre lescultures source et cibles. En Occident, les traductions anglaises de ce genre de textes sontreléguées en position d’extrême périphérie, à l’opposé des pays asiatiques, où des versions enlangues indigènes sont à l’origine de nouvelles formes littéraires, ou conduisent à des(ré)écritures inspirées du genre importé.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Translational migration to other countries in Asia
    • 2.1Mongolia
    • 2.2Vietnam
    • 2.3Thailand
    • 2.4Cambodia
    • 2.5Indonesia
    • 2.6Malaysia
    • 2.7Korea
    • 2.8A case of interference in other Asian countries
  • 3.Translational migration to the West
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Glossary of Chinese Names and Titles
  • References
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