Paratexts in translation: study of the paratexts of the first complete French translation of the Divan of Hafez

Document Type : Original Article

Author

• Saber Mohseni

Assistant Professor of French Language and Literature,, French Language and Literature Department,, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz

10.22067/rltf.2022.77803.1054

Abstract

Abstract
Since every translation is a reading product of the original text, it is considered a paratext for the primary text. However, translation is also considered a text and is accompanied by paratexts. It is expected that by examining these paratexts, helpful information and evidence be obtained to find out the priorities and reasons behind the translator's decisions and his translation method. In this article, relying on Gérard Genette's opinion about paratext and its types and using Antoine Berman's translation criticism method, the paratexts of the first full translation of the Divan of Hafez into French are scrutinized (de Fouchécour, 2006). After examining the epitexts of the mentioned translation, its peritexts are analyzed. Using these paratexts, de Fouchécour's view on Persian literature and Hafez's poetry, in particular, are realized. In this way, it is revealed that he considered translation an incomplete tool for recognizing and introducing Hafez to French-speaking readers. Moreover, it is comprehended that de Fouchécour's standpoint toward Persian literature, Hafez's poetry, and the act of translation affected his project to translate the Divan of Hafez, and as a result, he presented a non-versified translation of all of Hafez's Ghazals and provided notes for the translation of each Ghazal.

Keywords

• Paratext
• Peritext
• Epitext
• Translation criticism
• Translation of Divan of Hafez

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