Home Linguistics & Semiotics Chapter 5. From plagiarism to incense sticks
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Chapter 5. From plagiarism to incense sticks

The making of self and the other in Thai translation history
  • Phrae Chittiphalangsri
View more publications by John Benjamins Publishing Company
To Publisher Page
A World Atlas of Translation
This chapter is in the book A World Atlas of Translation

Abstract

Translation is not only a product of cultural exchange but also a process in which the senses of “self” versus “the other” are forged. History of cultural contacts in early modern Siam, or the Rattanakosindra period provides a lucid portrait of a country amidst the flux of encroaching globalization. Translation activities in Siam not only exhibit the formation of modern Siamese identity but also a demarcation of what is deemed foreign. The reciprocity of translation impact epitomizes the complex relationship Siam, later Thailand, has with other cultures. Siamese “vernacularization” of Indian and Chinese classics arrays translation as an act of straightforward, unproblematic appropriation, whereas the importation of European literature differs tremendously in how translators address the issue of authorship and fidelity. This report focuses on the crucial moments when Siam began to “translate” the West through several modes, ranging from open plagiarism, adaptation, proper translation, to overt literalism in the present days. These modes of translation show how the West as other is cast, and in turn throw light on how the modern Thai cultural self takes shape.

Abstract

Translation is not only a product of cultural exchange but also a process in which the senses of “self” versus “the other” are forged. History of cultural contacts in early modern Siam, or the Rattanakosindra period provides a lucid portrait of a country amidst the flux of encroaching globalization. Translation activities in Siam not only exhibit the formation of modern Siamese identity but also a demarcation of what is deemed foreign. The reciprocity of translation impact epitomizes the complex relationship Siam, later Thailand, has with other cultures. Siamese “vernacularization” of Indian and Chinese classics arrays translation as an act of straightforward, unproblematic appropriation, whereas the importation of European literature differs tremendously in how translators address the issue of authorship and fidelity. This report focuses on the crucial moments when Siam began to “translate” the West through several modes, ranging from open plagiarism, adaptation, proper translation, to overt literalism in the present days. These modes of translation show how the West as other is cast, and in turn throw light on how the modern Thai cultural self takes shape.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface 1
  4. Chapter 1. Translating in the Pacific 13
  5. Chapter 2. Recent tradition in Australia 39
  6. Chapter 3. Japanese conceptualizations of ‘translation’ 55
  7. Chapter 4. Contemporary views of translation in China 81
  8. Chapter 5. From plagiarism to incense sticks 105
  9. Chapter 6. More or less “translation” 125
  10. Chapter 7. The Persian tradition 149
  11. Chapter 8. The notion of translation in the Arab world 169
  12. Chapter 9. Traditions of translation in Hebrew culture 193
  13. Chapter 10. Altaic tradition 215
  14. Chapter 11. Translation tradition throughout South African history 243
  15. Chapter 12. Translation traditions in Angola 271
  16. Chapter 13. The culture(s) of translation in Russia 287
  17. Chapter 14. The concept of translation in Slavic cultures 309
  18. Chapter 15. The Greek-speaking tradition 323
  19. Chapter 16. Latin/Romance tradition 341
  20. Chapter 17. Germanic tradition 355
  21. Chapter 18. Hispanic South America 375
  22. Chapter 19. The history of translation in Brazil through the centuries 395
  23. Chapter 20. Translation in Central America and Mexico 419
  24. Chapter 21. Translation and North America 443
  25. Postface 465
  26. Bio-notes 471
  27. Index of languages, people, toponyms 481
  28. Name index 485
  29. Subject index 491
https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.145.05chi

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface 1
  4. Chapter 1. Translating in the Pacific 13
  5. Chapter 2. Recent tradition in Australia 39
  6. Chapter 3. Japanese conceptualizations of ‘translation’ 55
  7. Chapter 4. Contemporary views of translation in China 81
  8. Chapter 5. From plagiarism to incense sticks 105
  9. Chapter 6. More or less “translation” 125
  10. Chapter 7. The Persian tradition 149
  11. Chapter 8. The notion of translation in the Arab world 169
  12. Chapter 9. Traditions of translation in Hebrew culture 193
  13. Chapter 10. Altaic tradition 215
  14. Chapter 11. Translation tradition throughout South African history 243
  15. Chapter 12. Translation traditions in Angola 271
  16. Chapter 13. The culture(s) of translation in Russia 287
  17. Chapter 14. The concept of translation in Slavic cultures 309
  18. Chapter 15. The Greek-speaking tradition 323
  19. Chapter 16. Latin/Romance tradition 341
  20. Chapter 17. Germanic tradition 355
  21. Chapter 18. Hispanic South America 375
  22. Chapter 19. The history of translation in Brazil through the centuries 395
  23. Chapter 20. Translation in Central America and Mexico 419
  24. Chapter 21. Translation and North America 443
  25. Postface 465
  26. Bio-notes 471
  27. Index of languages, people, toponyms 481
  28. Name index 485
  29. Subject index 491
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 29.12.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1075/btl.145.05chi/html
Scroll to top button