TEXT AS AN ,INTERACTIVE MEDIUM’: CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THEATRE TRANSLATION IN SOUTH SLAVIC COUNTRIES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY Cover Image

ТЕКСТ КАО ,,ИНТЕРАКТИВНИ МЕДИЈУМ’’: КУЛТУРОЛОШКИ АСПЕКТИ ПРЕВОЂЕЊА ПОЗОРИШНИХ ДЕЛА НА ЈУЖНОСЛОВЕНСКОМ ПРОСТОРУ У ПРВОЈ ПОЛОВИНИ 19. ВЕКА
TEXT AS AN ,INTERACTIVE MEDIUM’: CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THEATRE TRANSLATION IN SOUTH SLAVIC COUNTRIES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Author(s): Ana Matić
Subject(s): Cultural history, 19th Century, Translation Studies
Published by: Музеј позоришне уметности Србије
Keywords: Cultural Translation; transmitter; translational strategies; interactive medium;

Summary/Abstract: This essay investigates the translational aspects of theatre culture in the South Slavic countries in the first half of the 19th century concentrating on German playwright August von Kotzebue (1761–1819) and the intense reception of his works. The aspects of Cultural Translation are of special interest in this context, since the dynamics of the multilevel translational processes corresponds to the multiethnic structure of the Habsburg society. The agents of Cultural Translation – transmitters – operate in the cultural „in-between“, on the verge of different literary traditions. Mihailo Vitković (1778–1829) – a prominent figure in Serbian and Hungarian literature – is among Kotzebue-translators. His Serbian translation of Kotzebue’s play „Der Opfer-Tod“ (1798) was published by „Matica srpska“ after his death (1830). Using translational strategies of domestification and localization he incorporated the elements of his social and linguistic background in his translational work and created so a system of multiple cultural references. This translation was staged by „Domorodno teatralno družtvo“ in Zagreb in 1840/41. As the manuscript of the copy illustrates, parts of Vitković’ translation have been changed several times – especially names and geographical references. Textual changes appear as different levels of translation and appropriation, as each level introduces another set of cultural references; the last one eventually re-establishes the context of the original. The manuscript acts as an „interactive medium“ with different „co-authors“.

  • Issue Year: 2012
  • Issue No: 160-161
  • Page Range: 69-76
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Serbian