A Research on Translators’ Self-Image through Translators’ Epilogues: A Perspective from Translation Sociology

Kim Youngshin

doi:10.15749/jts.2012.13.4.001

The Journal of Translation Studies

Abbr : JTS
2012, 13(4), pp.7-27
DOI : 10.15749/jts.2012.13.4.001
Publisher : The Korean Association for Translation Studies
Research Area : Interpretation and Translation Studies

Kim Youngshin ¹

¹안양대학교

ABSTRACT

The Scopos theory, with its priority on the functions and purposes of translation texts, overthrew a deep-rooted hierarchy between Source Texts and Target Texts. Translator studies now presents another ground-breaking insight, arguing that texts, both STs and TTs, are secondary and the primary interest should be directed to translating agents, human translators. Given the relative invisibility of translators as an occupation, they have hardly been a focus of academic research. Based on such realization, the current study aims to analyze the self-image as perceived by translators, drawing on translators’ epilogues and interviews with the media. Translator’s epilogues, as text types, are unique, since they are the types of discourse where translators can legitimately become "authors". The research into such unique texts will throw some enlightening light on such themes as translator visibility and translator self-image. We have seen that translators’ epilogues can provide the teloi of translators, that is, why they have decided to translate the given text or why they are involved in the field of translation. Translator’s epilogues also provide a space when translators discuss translation strategies, reveal power relations with publishers, express their self image, and even exhibit personal feelings towards authors. The findings of the study appear to support the general picture of translators as a relatively low prestige profession in the Korean society.
KEYWORDS

translator self-image, translators' epilogues, translator studies, telos
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