Translators (and interpreters!) come in all shapes and
sizes, with varying backgrounds and language combinations. Some will have read
Translation Studies at University and will be intimately aware of the variety
of Translation theories and techniques at their disposal. Others may well have
chanced upon the whole world of translation by pure accident after completing a
languages degree or after a stint abroad, embracing a new culture and its
associated language. Either way, this post will highlight some of the key
Feminist translation theorists in the Western World. This is just a starting
point, so don’t be afraid to investigate what practitioners who deal in your
language pair are discussing and applying to their work.
Barbara Godard
Godard began her Undergraduate studies in Toronto before
moving to Montreal to continue exploring Canadian literature, transcending the
gap between the Anglo-phone and the Franco-phone realities of Canada. She
completed her PhD at the University of Bordeaux and began teaching at various institutions.
She quickly carved out her impressive career as an expert on Canadian and
Quebecois literature as well as literary, feminist and translation theory. Godard
also acknowledged and wrote about indigenous (First Nations and Métis) women’s
cultural practice.
Godard, in her translation practice, advocated revealing
what was hidden in the text. This is shown through her ingenious wordcraft and
wordplay: Nicole Brossard’s book of poems, Amantes (1980), would be
translated as “Lovers” – but Godard picks
up on the reference to lesbian lovers and so, recasts the titles as “Lovhers”.
Susanne de
Lotbinière-Harwood
De Lotbinière-Harwood drives the bus both ways, in that she
works to and from English and French. She is best known for her English
translations of Nicole Brossard’s books, particularly Mauve Desert – a free
translation, which enables de Lotbinière-Harwood, as the translator, to
construct and weave meaning as she herself sees fit.
One of the translator’s calling cards is her manipulation of
the morphology of words, granting them new, deeper meanings and political
inclinations. For example, “auther”
(my own emphasis) makes a bold statement, indicating the gender of the writer.
Her French-English work, ‘Re-belle et infidèle: la traduction comme pratique de ré-écriture au
féminin/The Body Bilingual: translation as a re-writing in the feminine’
(Women’s Press – Toronto, 1991), is an interesting book to take on.
Sherry Simon
Simon completed her studies in the USA, France and Canada,
focusing mainly on Comparative Literature. She currently lectures at Concordia
University. She is a prolific writer and researcher with a string of
publications, but the one particular text which you may well come across is her
work, “Gender in Translation. Cultural
Identity and the Politics of Transmission” (Routledge, 1996). The book is probably the best starting point for anyone
interested in Feminist translation theory and techniques as it introduces the
various principles, highlights different practices and gives food for thought
on many issues. There is also a lot of reference to women’s writing and the
history of women as translators.
Readers who are interested in Colonial studies and
post-colonialism may also wish to indulge in “Changing the Terms: Translating in the Postcolonial Era”
(University of Ottawa Press, 2000), edited by Simon.
Luise Von Flotow
Von Flotow’s studies and career have led her through
England, Germany, France, the USA and Canada. She is currently the Director of
the School of Translation and Interpretation at the University of Ottawa.
One of Von Flotow’s techniques which is a personal favourite
is the idea of “hijacking” a term, an idea or even the whole text. I will be
discussing this technique and its application in another post soon. The basic
idea is to alter an item or idea, in order to avoid misogyny or to empower
those who have been disenfranchised through the language that is being employed
in the original.
For example: Here’s a
headline from CNN Mexico:
“Prostituta” (‘prostitute’) could be ‘hijacked’ and
recast as “Sex Worker”, in an attempt
to tackle the stigma surrounding this type of work. Some would also see it as
an attempt to normalise and validate sex work as a job like any other.
A good place to start would be Von Flotow’s, “Translation
and Gender: Translating in the ‘Era of Feminism’” (Ottawa University Press,
1997). The work covers a variety of theories and techniques. It also has an
interesting section on the women translators who have been forgotten about with
the passing of time.
“Translating Women” (2007) builds on Von Flotow’s previous
work as well as that of Simon and de Lotbinière-Harwood. It is a very
influential text, but would be best approached after exploring other works.
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If so, do let us know and please share your
experiences!
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