Literary Translation in Modern Iran
A sociological study
Literary Translation in Modern Iran: A sociological study is the first comprehensive study of literary translation in modern Iran, covering the period from the late 19th century up to the present day. By drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's sociology of culture, this work investigates the people behind the selection, translation, and production of novels from English into Persian. The choice of novels such as Morier's The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan, Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and Vargas Llosa's The War of the End of the World provides insights into who decides upon titles for translation, motivations of translators and publishers, and the context in which such decisions are made.The author suggests that literary translation in Iran is not a straightforward activity. As part of the field of cultural production, literary translation has remained a lively game not only to examine and observe, but also often a challenging one to play. By adopting hide-and-seek strategies and with attention to the dynamic of the field of publishing, Iranian translators and publishers have continued to play the game against all odds.
The book is not only a contribution to the growing scholarship informed by sociological approaches to translation, but an essential reading for scholars and students of Translation Studies, Iranian Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies.
The book is not only a contribution to the growing scholarship informed by sociological approaches to translation, but an essential reading for scholars and students of Translation Studies, Iranian Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies.
[Benjamins Translation Library, 114] 2014. xix, 236 pp.
Publishing status: Available
© John Benjamins Publishing Co.
Table of Contents
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Acknowledgments | pp. xi–xii
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A note on transliteration, Persian calendar, and translation | p. xiii
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List of figures | p. xv
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List of tables | p. xvii
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List of acronyms and abbreviations | p. xix
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Introduction | pp. 1–8
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1. Sociological perspectives | pp. 9–30
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2. History | pp. 31–50
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3. The Qajar period (1795–1925) | pp. 51–80
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4. The Pahlavi period (1925–1979) | pp. 81–116
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5. The post-Revolution period (1979–present) | pp. 117–174
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6. “The assembly is finished and…” | pp. 175–188
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References | pp. 189–212
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Appendices | pp. 213–226
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Index | pp. 227–236
“This book is a wide-ranging critical history of some of the main ways in which modernity has been introduced to contemporary Persian culture, with significant attention to issues of power, censorship, and long-term cultural strategies. The result is a highly original and innovative contribution not just to Translation Studies but also to Persian Studies, and indeed to general inquiry into cross-cultural dynamics.”
Anthony Pym, Rovira i Virgili University
“The author has produced a seminal work for Persian translators and translation students. The work will certainly have an impact on the field.”
M. R. Ghanoonparvar, The University of Texas at Austin
“This study breaks new ground in surveying the history of literary translation in Iran. It brings together a great deal of historical and cultural information, and also contributes to the current debate in translation studies about how best to study agency. It has clearly been quite a challenge to assemble all the information, much of which is not easily available, and the author’s resourcefulness has been admirable. The study shows the value of patient fieldwork over several years.”
Andrew Chesterman, University of Helsinki, in Iranian Studies, 50(4), 2017.
“The author’s attempts to document the dominant oral history of translation in post-revolution Iran through fieldwork, surveys, interviews and statistics is praiseworthy. An essential and valuable source in surveying the cultural, historical and social issues in Iranian Studies that needs to be translated into Persian.”
Narges Entekhabi, in Jahan-e Ketab Book Review, 20(9): 2015.
“It opens a window into the critical study of literary translation in Iran. The strength of the book is in its adoption of a historical approach to translation studies and an unprecedented theoretical approach in the context of Iran; and above all, it tackles the critical issue of censorship in Iran.”
Alireza Khanjan, in Motarjem, Iranian Journal of Translation, 24(56): 2015.
“A very well-structured study based on a clear theory and method that testifies to the author’s detailed research and innovative outlook.”
Mostafa Hosseini, in Comparative Literature (Journal of Academy of Persian Language and Literature) 6(2): 2015.
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Literary Translation in Modern Iran is highly recommended for researchers working on various aspects of both translation in Iran and the Iranian publishing industry. [...] Haddadian-Moghaddam did an excellent job to gather all the information. Literary Translation in Modern Iran will move the field of Iranian translation studies forward and will facilitate further conversations among scholars of translation studies and modern Persian literature.”
Behnam M. Fomeshi, The University of Sydney, in Iranian Studies 2020
Cited by (17)
Cited by 17 other publications
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Yu, Jinquan & Chunli Shen
2024. Translation selection and the consecration of Dylan Thomas’s poetry in China. Target. International Journal of Translation Studies
Saeedi, Samira
Sheikholeslami, Hosna
Emam, Abbas
2022. Translating to hegemonize. FORUM. Revue internationale d’interprétation et de traduction / International Journal of Interpretation and Translation 20:1 ► pp. 24 ff.
Jalalian Daghigh, Ali, Jariah Mohd Jan & Sheena Kaur
Laugesen, Amanda & Mehrdad Rahimi-Moghaddam
Marinetti, Cristina & Enza De Francisci
Tahmasebian, Kayvan & Rebecca Ruth Gould
Azadibougar, Omid
Farhadi, Ramin
Farhadi, Ramin & Margrét Gunnarsdóttir Champion
Amirdabbaghian, Amin & Krishnavanie Shunmugam
Azadibougar, Omid & Esmaeil Haddadian-Moghaddam
2019. Chapter 7. The Persian tradition. In A World Atlas of Translation [Benjamins Translation Library, 145], ► pp. 149 ff.
Younisi, Ibrahim & Sina Rahmani
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Subjects
Literature & Literary Studies
Sociology
Translation & Interpreting Studies
Main BIC Subject
CFP: Translation & interpretation
Main BISAC Subject
LAN023000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Translating & Interpreting