European Society for Translation Studies
Research Committee
State-of-the-Art Research Reports
Title: Self-translation
Author: Mathieu Karreman (University College Ghent, Belgium)
Created: 13/03/2012
Last modified: 13/03/2012
Posted to Wikipedia: No
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Self-translation
Mathieu Karreman (University College Ghent, Belgium)
Abstract: This report attempts to explain the basic principles of self-translation. It describes what selftranslation is, when it became a common practice, why authors may turn to self-translation and what
types of self-translation exist. Secondly, this paper gives a short overview on the types of research that
have been and/or are conducted on self-translation and the main problems that researchers encounter.
Introduction
Self-translation can either refer to “the act of translating one’s own writings into another
language” or to “the result of such an undertaking” (Grutman 1998: 257). A self-translator or
authorial translator is both writer and translator of his own text in two or more different
languages. This self-translated text is different from a ‘normal’, non-authorial translation, since
it is “the repetition of a process rather than the reproduction of a product” (Wilson 2009: 187).
As a writer, the self-translator can choose to make certain changes to his text in translation. He
has a chance to review his text and perhaps improve it. As a translator, the self-translator is
most often bound by common concepts concerning translation, implying faithfulness to the
original.
…..
Bibliography
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2012.
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