TRANSLATING GENDER: SHOULD LINGUISTIC NEUTRALITY OVERRIDE ORIGINAL INTENT?
Keywords:
Gender in translation, linguistic neutrality, feminist translation, cultural mediation, gendered language, inclusive language, authorial intent, translator agency, feminist theory, grammatical gender, ideological translation, reader reception, translation ethics, dynamic equivalence.Abstract
This work explores the tension between linguistic neutrality and authorial intent within translation activities involving gender-specific references. Employing a combination of theoretical analysis and analytical approach, it considers how translators deal with gendered entities within core texts, especially those situations where grammatical gender arises. In a comparative study of case material drawn from literary, legal, and news sources, the research examines the ethical, cultural, and linguistic implications of adopting a gender-neutral stance and respecting the original authorial intent. It argues that translation decisions should be contextually responsive, guided by ethical considerations, and directed by communicative effectiveness, but exercise less reliance upon neutrality or literalness.
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