Full Description
The concept of translation has become central to postcolonial theory in recent decades, offering as it does a useful metaphor or metonym for many of the processes explored within the framework of postcolonial studies. Translation proper, however, remains relatively underexplored and, in many postcolonial multilingual contexts, underexploited. Texts are often read in translation without much attention being paid to the inevitable differences that open up between an original and its translation(s), the figure of the translator remains shadowy, if not invisible, and the particular languages involved in translation in postcolonial societies often still reflect colonial power dynamics.
This volume draws together reflections by translators, authors and academics working across three broad geographical areas where the linguistic legacies of French colonial operations are long-lasting and complex, namely Africa, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. The perspectives that emerge move beyond traditional views of translation as loss or betrayal and towards a more positive outlook, highlighting the potential for translation to enrich the lives of readers, translators and authors alike, to counter some of the destructive effects of globalisation, and to promote linguistic diversity. In addition, translation is shown to be a most valuable tool in revealing the dynamics and pressures that are relevant to the political and economic contexts in which books are written, read and sold.
Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Translation - Formidable Enemy of Needed Friend? - Kathryn Batchelor
The Translation Market: Publishing and Distribution
Literary Translation and Language Diversity in Contemporary Africa - Moradewun Adejunmobi
Translation and its others: postcolonial linguistic strategies of writers from the Francophone Indian Ocean - Peter Hawkins
Publishing francophone African literature in translation: towards a relational account of postcolonial book history - Ruth Bush
Publishing, Translation and Truth - Audrey Small
Writing and Translating in Practice
Intimate Enemies: A Conversation between an Author and her Translator - Maryse Condé and Richard Philcox
Translation: Spreading the Wings of Literature - Véronique Tadjo
Translation - A Listening Art - Marjolijn de Jager
Ananda Devi as Writer and Translator: in interview with Julia Waters
The Négraille's Testament: Translating Black Label - Kathleen Gyssels & Christine Pagnoulle
Translating Heterophony in Olive Senior's Stories - Christine Raguet
Translation Challenges and New Avenues in Postcolonial Translation Theory
Subverting Subversion? Translation practice and malpractice in the work of Patrick Chamoiseau - Carol Gilogley
Un art de la fugue: Translating Glissant's poetry and prose d'idees - Claire Bisdorff
Postcolonial Intertextuality and Translation explored through the work of Alain Mabanckou - Kathryn Batchelor
Ananda Devi as Transcolonial Translator - Julia Waters
Translation and current trends in African metropolitan literature - Paul Bandia
Notes on Contributors
Index
