Throughout history, translators and interpreters have played crucial roles in times of war. The rise of intelligence and propaganda activities in modern warfare has further amplified their significance. Despite their vital contributions, translators and interpreters have often been underrepresented in war literature.

Historical novels can be regarded as primary sources, as they reflect the traces and influences of the period in which they were written, serving as contemporary narratives of the events of their time. Building on the idea that history forms the framework of literature and that literature inherently possesses a historical dimension, this study argues that identifying and interpreting representations of translators in literary narratives can contribute to a deeper understanding of their historical roles and missions—a subject often overlooked in traditional historiography.

In this context, representation refers to the transformation of an individual character into a social and historical figure by emphasizing certain defining characteristics within a literary text. In fiction, historical information is not presented directly or in its original form but is instead reflected, represented, and interwoven into the narrative. This study moves beyond a mere examination of historical context, focusing instead on the interplay between historical fact and literary fiction.

Translator and interpreter characters are notably absent from most historical and literary narratives of the Turkish War of Independence. However, Halide Edib’s novel Ateşten Gömlek and her autobiographical works Mor Salkımlı Ev and Türk’ün Ateşle İmtihanı stand out due to the subtle yet significant representations of translators and interpreters that emerge between the lines. Edib’s early engagement with foreign languages and literatures, combined with her identity as a translator and interpreter throughout her literary and political career, enabled her to craft these unique portrayals.

This study examines the unique characteristics of translator figures in the aforementioned works, categorizing these representations under three headings: translators and interpreters as propagandists, intelligence officers, and collaborators—each carrying both positive and negative connotations. These representations are analyzed comparA atively and critically.

In Halide Edib’s texts, translators and interpreters as propagandists emerge immediately after the Armistice of World War I, during the political phase of the Turkish War of Independence. These figures are depicted as defenders of justice and righteousness, yet their efforts are ultimately portrayed as futile. The characters, often wellAeducated, urban, upperAclass women who volunteer for the cause, are not glorified. This is due to their critical stance toward the Unionists (former members of Committee of Union and Progress [İttihat ve Terakki Cemiyeti]), their hesitancy regarding the Turkish War of Independence, and their tendency to adopt a submissive, compromising attitude toward the invaders. 

The portrayal of translators and interpreters as intelligence officers corresponds to the transition of the Turkish War of Independence from its political phase to its military phase. The depiction of these figures varies between Edib’s novel and her autobiographical works. In her novel, Ateşten Gömlek, translation is portrayed as part of intelligence operations but receives less emphasis compared to direct military engagements. In contrast, Edib’s autobiographical writings elevate her own experiences as a translator and interpreter, presenting them as heroic contributions. She emphasizes not only her role in translation but also her participation in strategic decisionAmaking. The character Peyami, who translates Greek newspapers during the day and serves at the front line at night, proudly considers himself part of the “war machine.” He prefers serving as a translator and interpreter at the front line over being stationed in Ankara. Halide Edib glorifies her intelligence work in her autobiography, underscoring her linguistic abilities and proactive role, whereas in her novel, she anonymizes Peyami’s role by referring to him simply as “Our Greek translator was a Turk.”

Another category of translator representation in Halide Edib’s works includes translators and interpreters from minority communities who serve the occupying forces. Halide Edib portrays these figures with disdain, depicting them as collaborators and informants who display greater hostility toward the MuslimATurkish population than even the invaders. She does not attempt to empathize with these characters or explore the complexities of their situations. In her autobiography, she presents the case of a Greek translator working for the Turkish side as a normal occurrence, given his status as an Ottoman citizen.

Literary texts also function as historical documents, reflecting the cultural and temporal contexts in which they were created. Although Ateşten Gömlek is a work of fiction, it can be a valuable historical source when analyzed critically alongside Edib’s autobiographies and other historical records. The representations of translators and interpreters in this novel, despite their seemingly minor roles, help illuminate the historical significance of these oftenAoverlooked figures. Examining such portrayals in literature and memoirs from different periods can provide deeper insights into the era and its people. Examining such portrayals in literature and memoirs from different periods will further enhance our understanding of the era and its people.