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🇯🇵Intro to Modern Japanese Literature

🇯🇵intro to modern japanese literature review

14.1 The history and challenges of translating Japanese literature

4 min read•Last Updated on August 6, 2024

Japanese literature translation presents unique challenges due to linguistic and cultural differences. Translators grapple with structural disparities, idiomatic expressions, and honorific language when moving between Japanese and English.

Cultural context plays a crucial role in Japanese literature. Translators must navigate untranslatable concepts, decide between domestication and foreignization strategies, and balance faithfulness to the original with readability in the target language.

Linguistic Challenges in Translation

Structural and Lexical Differences Between Languages

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Top images from around the web for Structural and Lexical Differences Between Languages

  • Lau | The subject advantage in relative clauses: A review | Glossa: a journal of general linguistics View original

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  • Word Complexity Estimation for Japanese Lexical Simplification - ACL Anthology View original

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  • Lau | The subject advantage in relative clauses: A review | Glossa: a journal of general linguistics View original

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  • Japanese and English have vastly different grammatical structures that pose challenges for translators
    • Japanese uses subject-object-verb (SOV) word order while English uses subject-verb-object (SVO)
    • Translators must rearrange sentence elements to maintain meaning and flow in the target language
  • Lexical differences between Japanese and English can lead to difficulties in finding precise equivalents
    • Japanese has many words with nuanced meanings that may not have direct English counterparts (wabi-sabi, mono no aware)
    • Translators must choose the most appropriate words to convey the intended meaning and tone

Translating Idiomatic Expressions and Honorific Language

  • Idiomatic expressions are phrases with meanings that cannot be derived from the individual words
    • Japanese idioms often rely on cultural references or wordplay that do not translate directly into English
    • Translators must find equivalent expressions or explain the meaning in the target language
  • Japanese uses an extensive system of honorifics to show respect and social hierarchy
    • Honorific language includes special verb forms, pronouns, and vocabulary that indicate the speaker's relationship to the subject
    • Translators must find ways to convey the nuances of honorific language in English, which lacks a similar system

The Concept of Untranslatability

  • Some words, phrases, or concepts in Japanese may be considered untranslatable due to their deep cultural roots
    • Untranslatability occurs when there is no equivalent word or phrase in the target language that captures the full meaning
    • Examples of untranslatable Japanese words include "komorebi" (sunlight filtering through trees) and "tsundoku" (buying books and not reading them)
  • Translators must decide how to approach untranslatable elements, either by providing explanations, using loanwords, or finding creative solutions

Cultural Adaptation Strategies

Understanding and Conveying Cultural Context

  • Japanese literature is deeply embedded in its cultural context, including historical events, social norms, and traditional values
    • Translators must have a deep understanding of Japanese culture to accurately convey the meaning and significance of literary works
    • Providing cultural context through annotations, footnotes, or explanations can help readers understand the original text
  • Translators may need to adapt cultural references or allusions to make them accessible to the target audience
    • Cultural adaptation involves finding equivalent references or explaining the significance of the original reference in the target language

Localization and Modernization of Translations

  • Localization is the process of adapting a translated text to fit the cultural norms and expectations of the target audience
    • Localization may involve changing names, settings, or cultural references to make the text more relatable to the target readers
    • Translators must balance the need for localization with the desire to maintain the integrity of the original work
  • Modernization involves updating older translations to reflect changes in language, cultural norms, and reader expectations
    • As language evolves and cultural attitudes shift, older translations may become outdated or less accessible to modern readers
    • Modernizing translations can involve updating vocabulary, sentence structure, and cultural references to make the text more engaging for contemporary audiences

Domestication vs. Foreignization Strategies

  • Domestication is a translation strategy that aims to make the translated text feel natural and familiar to the target audience
    • Domestication involves adapting the text to fit the cultural norms and expectations of the target language and culture
    • This strategy prioritizes readability and accessibility over preserving the foreign elements of the original text
  • Foreignization is a translation strategy that aims to preserve the foreign elements of the original text in the translated version
    • Foreignization involves retaining cultural references, language structures, and other elements that may be unfamiliar to the target audience
    • This strategy prioritizes the authenticity of the original work and exposes readers to the foreign culture and language

Foundational Concepts

The Art and Craft of Literary Translation

  • Literary translation is the process of translating creative works, such as novels, short stories, poetry, and plays, from one language to another
    • Literary translation requires a deep understanding of both the source and target languages, as well as the cultural contexts in which the works were created
    • Translators must have a strong command of literary devices, such as metaphor, imagery, and tone, to effectively convey the artistic qualities of the original work
  • Literary translation is both an art and a craft that requires creativity, skill, and attention to detail
    • As an art, literary translation involves interpreting the original work and finding creative solutions to convey its meaning and beauty in the target language
    • As a craft, literary translation requires a systematic approach to analyzing the text, making translation choices, and revising the translated work for accuracy and fluency
  • Successful literary translations strike a balance between faithfulness to the original work and readability in the target language
    • Translators must make difficult choices about which elements to prioritize, such as preserving the author's style, conveying the cultural context, or ensuring the translated text flows naturally in the target language
    • The goal of literary translation is to create a work that stands on its own as a piece of literature in the target language while still capturing the essence of the original text