Aspects of Ideology in Translating Literature
Babel: Revue internationale de la traduction/International Journal of Translation, (1999)Abstract
The paper attempts to explain how ideology exerts pressures and constraints on literary translation. The text undergoes a series of transformations or distortions depending on the stance or ideology of the author. Many examples from literature are cited to highlight the dilemma that faces the translator when his/her ideology contradicts the author’s, or when the translator unconsciously adopts a technique that is different from the author’s. Such differences can be construed as deviation, changes, or adoption of an ideology which is at variance with what the author intends. Several texts are discussed to show how, when and where ideologies are compromised in literary translation.