Navigating the Waves of Modernism: The Role of Translation in Shaping Postwar Taiwan's Literary Landscape

This study explores the critical role of translation in the evolution and dissemination of modernist literature in postwar Taiwan (1945-1959), a period that bridges the transition from Japanese colonial influence to the rise of distinctly Taiwanese modernist literature in the 1960s. Contrary to the predominant focus on original literary creations within scholarship, this analysis highlights the transformative impact of translation on Taiwan's literary modernism. Through a meticulous examination of 70 magazines established during this pivotal period, the researcher traces a nuanced chronology of modernist literature's reception and adaptation in Taiwan. The findings reveal that the translation of modernist works commenced in 1948, and up to 1959, a total of 170 translations of 39 modernist authors was made. The magazine Shí Suì emerges as a leading platform for these translations, showcasing 40 pieces, followed by Bàn Yuè Wén Yì, Literary Review, and Rambler. Notably, American modernist authors dominated the translation landscape with 120 works, followed by British, German, and French writers. A pivotal discovery of this research is the prevalent translation strategy of the era, which prioritized local acceptability and cultural resonance over strict fidelity to the source texts. This approach marks a significant shift from earlier and later periods, underscoring the adaptive and innovative spirit of Taiwan's engagement with global modernist currents. By shedding light on the overlooked yet foundational role of translation, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities and dynamics that have shaped Taiwan's modernist literary identity.

關鍵字

modernist literature ； translation history in Taiwan ； magazine studies ； literary translation ； translation literature

並列摘要

戰後臺灣（1945-1959）從日本殖民影響過渡到1960年代臺灣現代主義文學崛起，這段期間翻譯如何影響現代主義文學在臺灣的演變和傳播，正是本研究所探討的課題。不同於先前研究著重文學創作，本研究強調翻譯如何革新臺灣現代主義文學。研究者考察這段關鍵時期創辦的70種雜誌，歷時追溯了臺灣對現代主義文學的接受和改編，研究結果顯示：現代主義文學的翻譯始於1948年，截至1959年共計翻譯了39位現代主義作家的作品，篇數為170篇，其中以《拾穗》為主要發表平台，共刊登40篇作品，其次為《半月文藝》、《文學雜誌》、《自由談》。值得注意的是，美國現代主義作家佔據主導地位，總計翻譯其作品120篇，英國、德國、法國作家次之。本研究的關鍵發現在於此時期的主流翻譯策略並非講求嚴格忠於原文，而是優先考慮在譯文的可接受性和文化共鳴，這與日治時期和1960年代的譯介潮流大相徑庭，凸顯台灣參與全球現代主義潮流的靈活與創意。本研究揭示遭到忽視的翻譯具有奠基地位，有助於更深入理解形塑臺灣現代主義文學身份的複雜性和動態性。