Article published in:
Target
Vol. 34:2 (2022) ► pp. 219–250

Appearances

Character description as a network of signification in Russian translations of Jane Eyre

| HSE University | University of East Anglia
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.
Keywords: character description, Antoine Berman, networks of signification, Charlotte Brontë, literary portrait, translation variation
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
Published online: 26 November 2021
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.20079.kel
References

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.Google Scholar

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.Google Scholar

1850, second summary:

Anon
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1852, third summary with translated excerpts:

Druzhinin, Aleksandr
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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
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1893, translation by V. D. Vladimirov (pseudonym of Vladimir Dmitrievich Vol’fson):

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1889, translation of the German play Die Waise aus Lowood by Charlotte Birch-Pfeiffer (1853):

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1901, abridged for a youth audience:

Anon
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1950, canonical Soviet translation by Vera Stanevich:

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1990, Vera Stanevich’s translation with censored passages restored:

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