Article published In:
TargetVol. 34:2 (2022) ► pp.219–250
Appearances
Character description as a network of signification in Russian translations of Jane Eyre
This article re-evaluates the theoretical import of networks of signification, one of Antoine Berman’s twelve
deforming tendencies in translation. Taking Jane Eyre as a case study, the article considers character
description as an example of a Bermanian network and traces the physical appearance of the novel’s characters across its six
Russian translations. Character description represents a network that is traceable, depends on the reader’s ability to construct a
visual mental image over the course of a narrative, has a tangible impact on characterisation, and remains relevant throughout a
novel. It thus offers a concrete illustration of the relevance of networks of signification as a model for the systemic
interpretative potential of translation variation. This analysis paves the way for further study of Bermanian networks and the
ultimate integration of this concept in translation practice.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Character description and networks of signification
- 3.The literary portrait and the Russian Jane Eyre
- 4.Rochester’s physiognomy
- 5.Character and characterisation
- 6.Discussion
- 7.Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
-
Jane Eyre in Russian (chronological order)
-
References
References (81)
Jane Eyre in Russian (chronological order)
April 1849, summary with translated excerpts:
Anon. 1849. “Литературные новости в Англии: Дженни Иръ: Автобиография [Literary news
in England: Jane Eyre: Autobiography].” Библиотека для
чтения [Library for
reading] 94 (2), Seg. 71: 151–172.
May 1849, first translation by Irinarkh Vvedenskii (5 parts):
Vvedenskii, Irinarkh. 1849. Дженни Иръ: Романъ [Jane Eyre: A
novel]. By Charlotte Brontë. Отечественные записки [Annals of the fatherland] 64 (6), Seg. 1: 175–250; 65 (7), Seg. 1: 67–158; 65 (8): 179–262; 66 (9), Seg. 1: 65–132, 66 (10), Seg. 11: 193–330.
1850, second summary:
Anon. 1850. “Джен Эйръ, роман Коррер Белля [Jane Eyre: Currer Bell’s
novel].” Sovremennik 21/61, Seg. 41: 31–38.
1852, third summary with translated excerpts:
Druzhinin, Aleksandr. 1852. “Корреръ Белль и его два романа: ‘Шэрли’ и ‘Дженъ-Иръ’. [Currer Bell and his two novels: ‘Shirley’ and ‘Jane Eyre’].” Библиотека для
чтения [Library for
reading] 1161: 23–54.
1857, translation by Sof’ia Ivanovna Koshlakova, from “Jane Eyre. Mémoires d’une gouvernante, Imité par Old-Nick [Jane Eyre:
Memoirs of a governess, imitated by Old-Nick],” pseudonym of Paul-Émile Daurand-Forgues. Brussels: Meline, Cans et compagnie,
1849:
Koshlakova, Sof’ia Ivanovna. 1857. Дженни Эйръ,
или записки гувернантки [Jane Eyre, or notes of a
governess]. By Charlotte Brontë. Библиотека для дач, пароходов и железных дорог [Library
for summer retreats, steamboats and railways]. St. Petersburg: Типография императорской академии наук.
1893, translation by V. D. Vladimirov (pseudonym of Vladimir Dmitrievich Vol’fson):
Vladimirov, V. D. 1893. Дженни Эйр (Ловудская сирота). Роман-автобиография в 2х частях [Jane Eyre (The orphan of Lowood): Novel-autobiography in 2
parts]. By Charlotte Brontë. St. Petersburg: M.M. Lederle & Ko.
1889, translation of the German play Die Waise aus Lowood by Charlotte Birch-Pfeiffer (1853):
Мансфельд, Дмитрий Августович. 1889. Ловудская сирота: Жан Эйр [The orphan of Lowood: Jane
Eyre]. By Sh. Birkh-Pfeifer. Moscow: Литография Московской театральной библиотеки Е.Н. Рассохиной.
1901, abridged for a youth audience:
Anon. 1901. Джени
Эйр, история моей жизни [Jane Eyre, the story of my
life]. By Charlotte Brontë. Abridged
translation from English. Юный читатель, журнал для детей старшего
возраста [Young reader, magazine for older
children] 31, 5.
1950, canonical Soviet translation by Vera Stanevich:
Stanevich, Vera. 1950. Джен Эйр [Jane
Eyre]. By Charlotte Brontë. Moscow: Гослитиздат (Leningrad: 2ia fabrika det. Knigi Detgiza).
1990, Vera Stanevich’s translation with censored passages restored:
Stanevich, Vera. 1990. Джен Эйр [Jane
Eyre]. By Charlotte Brontë. Omissions
in the text reconstructed by Irina
Gurova. Moscow: Художественная литература.
1999, translation by Irina Gurova. The 1999 edition includes two novels under one cover (also Рождество в Индии by Barbara
Ford, translated by V. Semenov. The 2005 edition used for page references in this article is a reprint of the 1999 edition:
Gurova, Irina. 1999. Джейн Эйр [Jane
Eyre]. By Charlotte Brontë. Moscow: AST.
Gurova, Irina. 2005. Джейн Эйр [Jane
Eyre]. By Charlotte Brontë. Moscow: AST.
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Cited by (1)
Cited by one other publication
Kelbert, Eugenia
2023.
17. Appearing Jane, in Russian. In
Prismatic Jane Eyre,
► pp. 750 ff.

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