The Historical and Literary Context of Ateşten Gömlek’s Swedish Translation (Eldskjortan): The Translation Strategy, the Letters Between the Translator and Halide Edib, and the Reception of the Novel in Sweden
Ahmed NuriThis article examines Halide Edib’s reception in Sweden through Eldskjortan (1928), the Swedish translation of her novel Ateşten Gömlek (1922) utilizing Swedish archives based on this translation. For this purpose, the article briefly addresses the first literary texts translated from Turkish to Swedish and discusses Eldskjortan within the context of this being the first text and novel translated from modern Turkish literature into Swedish. The second part of the article explores the translation strategy and process for Eldskjortan. This section includes the translator’s preface, the book’s appendix section, and the letters between the translator Hjalmar Lindquist and Halide Edib as found in the Swedish National Library. The final part of the article examines the reception of Eldskjortan and Halide Edib as an important figure in Turkish literature and history. The main sources of this reception are the articles, advertisements, and visuals in the Swedish press related to the novel, as well as writings about Halide Edib in Swedish books. In short, the article focuses on the historical and literary context of the Swedish translation of Ateşten Gömlek, presenting a new case for discussions on crossnational relationships and the recognition of female authors in Turkish literature. Moreover, the article contributes to Halide Edib’s biography, especially her years in exile, by providing new documents and information.
Ateşten Gömlek’in İsveççe Çevirisinin (Eldskjortan) Tarihsel ve Edebî Bağlamı: Çeviri Stratejisi, Çevirmenle Halide Edib’in Mektuplaşmaları ve Romanın İsveç’te Alımlanması
Ahmed NuriBu makale, Halide Edib Adıvar’ın Ateşten Gömlek (1922) romanının İsveççe çevirisi Eldskjortan’ı (1928) ve bu çeviri temelinde Halide Edib’in İsveç’teki alınmlanmasını, İsveççe arşivlere dayanarak incelemektedir. Bu maksatla, makale öncelikle Türkçeden İsveççeye çevrilen ilk edebî metinlere kısaca değinmekte ve modern Türk edebiyatından bu dile çevrilen ilk metin ve roman olan Eldskjortan’ı söz konusu bağlam içinde konumlandırmaktadır. Makalenin ikinci kısmında, Eldskjortan’ın çeviri süreci ve stratejisi; çevirmenin önsözü ve kitaptaki ekler bölümü, çevirmen Hjalmar Lindquist ve Halide Edib arasındaki mektuplaşmalar ve İsveç Milli Kütüphanesinde bulunan arşiv belgeleri ışığında tartışılmaktadır. Makalenin son bölümündeyse, Eldskjortan’ın ve Türk edebiyatında önemli bir yazar ve tarihsel şahsiyet olarak Halide Edib’in İsveç’te nasıl alımlandığı incelenmektedir. Bu alımlanma hakkındaki çözümlemelerin temel kaynakları; kitaba dair İsveç matbuatındaki yazılar, ilanlar ve görseller ile Halide Edib’e ilişkin İsveççe kitaplarda yer alan bazı yazılardır. Kısaca, bu makale, Ateşten Gömlek’in İsveççe çevirisinin tarihsel ve edebî bağlamına odaklanarak Türk edebiyatındaki kadın yazarların ulus-ötesi ilişki ve tanınırlığına dair tartışmalara yeni bir örnek vaka sunmaktadır. Ayrıca, bu makale Halide Edib’e ilişkin yeni belge ve bilgilere yer vererek Halide Edib’in biyografisine, özellikle de sürgün yıllarına dair literatüre katkıda bulunmaktadır.
This research article presents a comprehensive analysis of the reception in Sweden of Halide Edib, a renowned Turkish author, with a specific focus on the Swedish translation Eldskjortan (1928) by P. A. Norstedt & Söner of her seminal work, Ateşten Gömlek (1922). Drawing upon the resources within Swedish archives, particularly in the National Library of Sweden, this article offers a detailed exploration of the impact this translation has had on cross-national literary relationships, recognition of female authors in Turkish literature, and the enrichment of Halide Edib’s biography to a certain extent. The article is organized into three interlinked sections, each of which offers both historical and literary contexts of the Turkish literature by providing unique insights into Eldskjortan.
The article initially commences with a comprehensive historical overview of the first literary texts translated from Turkish to Swedish up to the 1950s, highlighting their significance in the context of Turkish-Swedish literary interactions. This section sets the stage for a closer examination of Eldskjortan and its pivotal role as the first text and novel translated from modern Turkish literature into Swedish. By tracing the trajectory of literary exchanges between Türkiye and Sweden, the article thus sheds light on the sociocultural milieu within which this pioneering translation had emerged, thereby offering a comprehensive contextual framework for subsequent discussions.
The second section of the article takes an in-depth dive into the intricacies of the translation process that birthed Eldskjortan. It unveils the meticulous considerations, cultural adaptations, and linguistic nuances that Hjalmar Lindquist, the Swedish translator of the novel, confronted when bringing Halide Edib’s work to the Swedish-speaking audience. A pivotal component of this section involves the translator’s preface, wherein Lindquist articulates his motivations, challenges, and methods by providing invaluable insights into his approach to rendering this canonized Turkish narrative into Swedish at a very early period. This discussion extends to the novel’s appendix section, which unveils additional content included in the Swedish edition and its role in enhancing the readers’ understanding of the Turkish context, including its historical and literary points. A striking revelation within this section lies in the letters exchanged between Hjalmar Lindquist and Halide Edib, both those mentioned in the preface as well as those discovered in the archives of the Swedish National Library. These letters provide a rich and dynamic narrative, offering a glimpse into the collaborative efforts, the evolution of ideas, and the hurdles encountered during the translation process. These letters not only reveal the linguistic challenges and cultural discrepancies but also primarily paint a compelling portrait of the author-translator collaboration.
The final section of the article conducts a thorough examination of Eldskjortan’s reception in Sweden and its impact on shaping the perception of Halide Edib there. It scrutinizes the articles, news, advertisements, and visual materials from the Swedish press related to the novel, revealing the multifaceted dimensions of its reception among Swedish readers. This section also delves into references to Halide Edib in Swedish books, providing a broader context for understanding her status as an influential figure in Turkish literature and history. By doing so, the article offers a holistic view of the cultural significance of Eldskjortan and its role in introducing Turkish literature to Swedish audience.
In summary, this article presents a multifaceted examination of the historical and literary significance of the Swedish translation of Ateşten Gömlek in the context of Halide Edib’s reception in Sweden. Beyond its contribution to discussions on cross-national relationships and the recognition of female authors in Turkish literature, the study also enriches Halide Edib’s biography, especially with regard to her years in exile, by unearthing new documents and information. Through this comprehensive analysis, the article offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of literature, translation, and cross-cultural engagement during the early 20th century, fostering a deeper understanding of the global circulation of literary works and their profound impact on cultural and intercultural interactions and literary history.