ABSTRACT

This article discusses challenges found in translator working papers from the process of translating the novel Les soleils des indépendances (Ahmadou Kourouma) into Norwegian. It also draws on interview material connected to the same translation process as well as a scholarly article written by the translator herself, Ingse Skattum. Anchored in the theoretical framework of genetic Translation Studies and the archival turn in Modernist Studies, the present article explores the translator’s decision-making by comparing cited passages from the published novel to the same textual issues in the working papers. Furthermore, it displays how the translator is faced with several difficulties that require creativity, a profound knowledge of cultural references, and a pedagogical orientation towards the reader. Thus, this article attempts to shed light upon the translator’s constant hesitation between textual alternatives. Using Skattum’s multifaceted translation project as a case, the article shows that the idea of the translator’s agency should be problematised. The overall aim is to bring attention to the underlying textual process normally invisible to the public and to call for a stronger consciousness and recognition of the translator’s complex work among laymen as well as among professionals.

摘要

本文讨论了翻译小说Lesoleils des indépendances过程中在译者工作文件中发现的挑战(Ahmadou Kourouma) 翻译成挪威语。它还借鉴了与同一翻译过程相关的采访材料以及由译者 Ingse Skattum 自己撰写的学术文章。本文立足于遗传翻译研究的理论框架和现代主义研究的档案转向，通过将已发表小说中的引用段落与工作论文中的相同文本问题进行比较，探讨了译者的决策。此外，它还展示了译者如何面临一些需要创造力、深厚的文化参考知识和面向读者的教学取向的困难。因此，本文试图阐明译者在文本替代方案之间不断犹豫的问题。以Skattum的多面翻译项目为例，文章表明，翻译代理的想法应该被问题化。总体目标是引起公众对通常不可见的潜在文本过程的关注，并呼吁外行和专业人士对翻译人员的复杂工作有更强的意识和认可。