An etymological exploration of ‘translation’ in Japan
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Judy Wakabayashi
Abstract
This exploration of the semantic domain of ‘translation’ in Japan focuses on the evolution and interrelationships of selected key terms, as well as on terminological discontinuities, potential terminological insights into Japanese views on translation, and how these terms differ from standard English ‘equivalents’. The paper identifies three layers of translation terminology in Japan and notes the potential for discrepancies and rivalry amongst these layers. The etymologically derived implications of certain terms sometimes run counter to translational reality, a fact that calls into question the validity of relying on historical semantics as a source of theorising.
Abstract
This exploration of the semantic domain of ‘translation’ in Japan focuses on the evolution and interrelationships of selected key terms, as well as on terminological discontinuities, potential terminological insights into Japanese views on translation, and how these terms differ from standard English ‘equivalents’. The paper identifies three layers of translation terminology in Japan and notes the potential for discrepancies and rivalry amongst these layers. The etymologically derived implications of certain terms sometimes run counter to translational reality, a fact that calls into question the validity of relying on historical semantics as a source of theorising.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Foreword ix
- Introduction 1
- Caste in and Recasting language 17
- Translation as resistance 29
- Tellings and renderings in medieval Karnataka 43
- Translating tragedy into Kannada 57
- The afterlives of panditry 75
- Beyond textual acts of translation 95
- Reading Gandhi in two tongues 107
- Being-in-translation 119
- (Mis)Representation of sufism through translation 133
- Translating Indian poetry in the Colonial Period in Korea 145
- A. K. Ramanujan 161
- An etymological exploration of ‘translation’ in Japan 175
- Translating against the grain 195
- Index 213
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Foreword ix
- Introduction 1
- Caste in and Recasting language 17
- Translation as resistance 29
- Tellings and renderings in medieval Karnataka 43
- Translating tragedy into Kannada 57
- The afterlives of panditry 75
- Beyond textual acts of translation 95
- Reading Gandhi in two tongues 107
- Being-in-translation 119
- (Mis)Representation of sufism through translation 133
- Translating Indian poetry in the Colonial Period in Korea 145
- A. K. Ramanujan 161
- An etymological exploration of ‘translation’ in Japan 175
- Translating against the grain 195
- Index 213
