(Un)Bridging the GAP: The case of translations from Yugoslav literature into Turkish (1962-2001)

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to examine and analyze the factors instrumental in the translations from Yugoslav literature into Turkish. Turkish and the "Yugoslav" peoples lived together for more than 500 years under the Ottoman rule. However, this coexistence had a minuscule rolein the flow of literary translations from Yugoslav literature into Turkish. After reviewing the works of scholars of translation, literature, and history and providing a historical account of Yugoslav literature, this study dwells upon the Yugoslav literature in Turkish translation. As translations from Yugoslav literature into Turkish are traced from 1962 up to 2001, forewords and afterwords written by translators and editors, and the backgrounds of these translators are scanned. Finally, the socio-politicaland cultural relations between two peoples throughout history are explored. The examination of these aspects reveals that translations fromYugoslav literature into Turkish have three main factors. The first factor isthe power relations, i.e. the Western dominance in cultural life visible inliterary standards and international literary awards. The second factor is the official ideology of the Republican period that can be defined as "the official amnesia" towards the Balkans in general and the "former" Yugoslavia in particular. Finally, the third factor is the limited number oftranslators and publishers dedicating their efforts to translating Yugoslav literature into Turkish.