Abstracts
Abstract
Crime fiction is a genre that commonly incorporates important sociocultural dimensions. When crime fiction works are translated within the framework of world literature, new audiences are able to expand their knowledge of different cultures and societies, as well as be entertained by the plots and characters. It can thus be a challenge, for translators, to ensure that sociocultural aspects are effectively conveyed. For example, the translation into English of Japanese social and organisational hierarchy depicted in character interactions is particularly complex, given the differing linguistic and cultural backgrounds of readers. This paper explores strategies for translating hierarchy using Hideo Yokoyama’s Dai san no jikō (The Third Deadline) as a case study. We propose a methodology to assist translators in adopting a conscious approach to translating hierarchy, which will provide readers with a more nuanced understanding of how hierarchy functions in Japanese society. We demonstrate that the translation of crime fiction can help readers overcome barriers resulting from linguistic and cultural differences to gain a new understanding of different societies.
Keywords:
- Japanese-English literary translation,
- translation strategies,
- Hideo Yokoyama,
- hierarchical interactions,
- speech styles,
- crime fiction
Résumé
Le polar est un genre qui comporte souvent des dimensions socioculturelles importantes. Lorsque les polars sont traduits dans le cadre de la littérature mondiale, les nouveaux lecteurs peuvent élargir leur connaissance de différentes cultures et sociétés tout en se divertissant grâce à l’intrigue et aux personnages. Cependant, il peut être difficile pour le traducteur de rendre correctement les aspects socioculturels. Compte tenu des différences linguistiques et culturelles entre les publics, la hiérarchie en vigueur dans la société et dans les organisations japonaises peut, par exemple, être particulièrement épineuse lorsqu’il s’agit de décrire en anglais les interactions entre les personnages. Cet article explore les stratégies de traduction concernant les rapports hiérarchiques en se fondant sur le roman Dai san no jikō (The Third Deadline) de Hideo Yokoyama comme étude de cas. Nous proposons une méthodologie qui aiderait les traducteurs à adopter une approche avertie de la traduction de la notion de hiérarchie, afin d’offrir aux lecteurs une compréhension nuancée de son fonctionnement dans la société japonaise. Nous montrons que la traduction de polars peut permettre aux lecteurs de franchir les obstacles provenant de différences linguistiques et culturelles afin d’accéder à une nouvelle compréhension de sociétés différentes.
Mots-clés :
- traduction littéraire du japonais en anglais,
- stratégies de traduction,
- Hideo Yokoyama,
- échanges hiérarchiques,
- registres de langage,
- polar
Resumen
La novela policiaca pertenece a un género literario caracterizado por la incorporación de importantes dimensiones socioculturales. Cuando se traducen las novelas policiacas en el ámbito de la literatura mundial, nuevos públicos pueden ampliar su conocimiento de diversas culturas y sociedades, además de ser entretenidos por las tramas y personajes de estas novelas. Dicho esto, expresar los aspectos socioculturales de manera eficaz puede ser un desafío para el traductor. Por ejemplo, la traducción inglesa de la jerarquía social y organizativa japonesa, representada en las interacciones de los personajes, es particularmente complicada debido a la diferencia lingüística y cultural de los lectores. Esto articulo examina estrategias para traducir la jerarquía, utilizando Dai san no jikō (El tercer vencimiento) de Hideo Yokoyama como estudio de caso. Proponemos una metodología para asistir a los traductores a adoptar una estrategia consciente para la traducción de la jerarquía, la que proveerá a los lectores una comprensión más matizada de la función de la jerarquía en la sociedad japonesa. Mostramos que la traducción de novelas policiacas puede permitir que los lectores superen las barreras creadas por las diferencias lingüísticas y culturales, y ofrecerles una nueva comprensión de diversas sociedades.
Palabras clave:
- traducción literaria japonés-inglés,
- estrategias de traducción,
- Hideo Yokoyama,
- interacciones jerárquicas,
- estilos de habla,
- novelas policiacas
Appendices
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