“Touched” Translations in Turkey: A Feminist Translation Approach

• Main Author: Sinem Bozkurt
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hacettepe University 2014-06-01
• Series: Momentdergi
• Subjects: feminist çeviri; türkiye; toplumsal cinsiyet; kadın eli değmek; yanmetinsel stratejiler
• Online Access: http://www.momentdergi.org/index.php/momentdergi/article/view/32

<p>The interaction between gender and translation can be the influence of cultural studies on many different disciplines and particularly the cultural turn experienced in translation studies in addition to the increasing awareness on the interdisciplinary nature of the field. This article defines the concept of feminist translation, which can be briefly defined as using the language as a tool in order to translate texts through criticizing the patriarchal language, with particular reference to feminist translation practices in Turkey. Particularly, two feminist texts written in English, <em>SCUM Manifesto</em> by Valerie Solanas and <em>Virgin: The Untouched History</em> by Hanne Blank, and their feminist translations into Turkish: <em>Erkek Doğrama Cemiyeti Manifestosu</em> by Ayşe Düzkan and <em>Bekaretin El Değmemiş Tarihi</em> by Emek Ergün are discussed. The translation strategies preferred by these translators and the use of paratexts overlap the feminist translation strategies which have been introduced by translation scholar Von Flotow. Feminist translators in this context have “womanhandled” the texts and made a contribution to both the contemporary feminist translation theory and practice and feminist movement in Turkey.</p>