The Invisibility of the Translator -- A History of Translation

Author: (American) Lawrence Venuti
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book is a representative work by Lawrence Venuti, an Italian-American scholar. It critically examines translation activities from the 17th century to the present, introducing how the strategy of fluency has dominated various translation approaches and formed the established norms for foreign literature in English. The author questions the racist and imperialist cultural consequences reflected in foreign literary works of this period, which embody the values of English-speaking countries. In tracing the history of translation, the author identifies and highlights translation theories and practices that stand in opposition to the fluency strategy, emphasizing that these theories and practices aim to convey rather than eliminate differences between languages and cultures. The author also cites texts and translations from the United States, Britain, and European countries, providing a detailed theoretical and critical basis for studying and practicing translation as a collection of differences.