Beyond the covers: Understanding Arab translator (in)visibility in Jordanian publishing houses
Beyond the covers: Understanding Arab translator (in)visibility in Jordanian publishing houses

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the concept of translator (in)visibility within the context of Jordanian publishing houses, with a keen focus on the interrelationship between paratextual material and translator (in)visibility. Adopting a data-driven methodology, the study analyzes book covers of translated works originating from 29 Jordanian publishing houses. By examining the paratextual elements on the front covers of over 600 translated works, including the appearance of translator names and related details, the research aims to address a notable lacuna in the existing literature concerning the (in)visibility of Arab translators. To address this gap, the study establishes a point-based system and builds a visibility index to comprehend the scope of translator visibility and its ramifications within Jordanian publishing practices. Findings indicate variations in publishing practices among Jordanian publishers. Equally important, there appears to be a noticeable difference between Jordanian and other countries’ publishing practices, as documented in the literature of the study. This research extends beyond mere statistical observation, aiming to have broader implications for empirical translation studies, especially in relation to Venuti’s theory of invisibility. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of visibility and invisibility, making a substantive contribution to the ongoing discussions in this field.

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