THE TRANSLATOR’S INVISIBILITY: ETHICAL IDEAL OR DANGEROUS ERASURE?
Keywords:
Translator invisibility, Venuti, domestication, translator ethics, cultural representation, postcolonial translation, feminist translation, translator agency, visibility, translation ideology.Abstract
By focusing on fluency and reducing the translator's presence in the target text, invisibility is typically seen as a sign of successful translation. But for political, cultural, and ethical reasons, this idea is coming under more and more scrutiny. The theoretical underpinnings and real-world implications of the translator's invisibility are examined critically in this article, which makes the case that, although it can help with functional communication or reader immersion, invisibility can also marginalize translators and stifle cultural diversity. The study, which draws from literary, legal, postcolonial, and feminist contexts, argues that, when used strategically and ethically, translator visibility strengthens cultural accountability, fosters professional recognition, and gives voice to underrepresented groups.
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