Reshaping the Japanese Novel in English Translation

The Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Program, 1955

Abstract

The study of literature in translation has been a key component of Translation Studies since the field emerged more than half a century prior. One of the defining moments in the field was a shift in focus from comparing a source text with its translation to looking at the translation in a target culture. Another development that is growing in importance is a focus on the translator and how other individuals may use their agency to influence the final textual product as well as its packaging and reception. To this end, the theoretical concepts of Pierre Bourdieu, particularly that of the habitus  of the translator, and that of the Actor-network Theory have been applied to analyze and trace the development of translation products, the individuals involved the process, as well as the discourse which surrounds the reception of translations. This article sets out to apply these theoretical and methodological apparatus to the early titles of Japanese literature in English translation which appeared in the 1950s. The findings suggest the agency construct is supported by the concept of habitus and complimented by Actor-Network Theory. The articulation of new data provided by publisher archives in turn helps to clarify the historical place of these translations.