A WOMAN IS NO MAN. A TRANSLATOR IS (NO) AUTHOR? RESISTING THE SHARED SUBORDINATION OF WOMEN AND TRANSLATORS THROUGH TRANSLATORHANDLING
Vol.11, Issue 2, 2025, pp. 201-224 Full text: PDF . HTML
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33919/esnbu.25.2.2
Web of Science: 001643786800003
Author:
Ayşe Saki Demirel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4412-8076
Affiliation: Ankara Bilim University, Ankara, Türkiye 041vwqc20
Abstract
This article proposes translatorhandling as a conceptual framework to theorize the intentional and strategic interventions made by feminist translators across textual, peritextual, and epitextual realms. It aims to expand the current understanding of translator visibility and reframe the role of the feminist translator within the evolving field of Feminist Translation Studies (FTS). This study argues that through translatorhandling, feminist translators not only 'womanhandle' texts to amplify silenced women's voices and make language speak for women but also assert their creative agency and professional visibility primarily through epitextual channels. Etaf Rum's A Woman is No Man and its Turkish translation, Kadının Sesi Yok ['A woman has no voice'] by Arzu Altınanıt, constitute the case of this research. Thematic analysis of Altınanıt's blog, Bir Çevirmenin Dünyası ['A Translator's World'], and her X (formerly Twitter) posts demonstrates how she engages in translatorhandling as a form of dual resistance: amplifying women's voices and challenging the systemic invisibility of translators. The findings reveal how she publicly claims interpretive agency, contests the industry's erasure of translators, and positions herself as a co-creator. Mapping this emerging practice, the article highlights translatorhandling as a powerful feminist intervention that transcends textual boundaries, positioning translator's voice as a force of solidarity and transformation in public discourse.
Keywords: translatorhandling, feminist translation, translator's visibility, Arzu Altınanıt, A Woman is No Man, Kadının Sesi Yok
Article history:
Submitted: 09 October 2025
Reviewed: 20 October 2025
Accepted: 29 October 2025
Published: 20 December 2025
Citation (APA):
Saki Demirel, A. (2025). Woman is no man. A translator is (no) author? Resisting the shared subordination of women and translators through translatorhandling. English Studies at NBU, 11(2), 201-224. https://doi.org/10.33919/esnbu.25.2.2
Copyright © 2025 Ayşe Saki Demirel
This is an Open Access article published and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Funding:
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Acknowledgements:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Arzu Altınanıt for kindly granting permission to cite her protected X (formerly Twitter) posts in this article.
References:
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Altınanıt, A. ['@ArzuAltinanit']. (2022a, March 22). Aldığım en güzel övgülerden biri: "Çevirmenin Etaf Rum'la iyi bir ikili olduğu kesin." @literaedebiyat ['One of the most meaningful compliments I've ever received: "It is clear that the translator and Etaf Rum are a good duo"'] ['Tweet']. X. https://x.com/ArzuAltinanit/status/1506239164311912453
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Altınanıt, A. ['@ArzuAltinanit']. (2022e, March 4). Yine aynı özensizlik. @DRdunyasi'na göre çevirmenin adı yok. Ve ben her yeni kitapta bunu yaşamaktan çok sıkıldım. ['Yet again, the same carelessness. According to @DRdunyasi, the translator has no name. And I am utterly tired of experiencing this with every new book'] ['Tweet']. X. https://x.com/ArzuAltinanit/status/1499791316523397123
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Altınanıt, A. ['@ArzuAltinanit']. (2025a, February 21). Biz bıktık, @DRdunyasi bıkmadı. Yine emeğe saygısızlık. Çevirmen adı yine yok. Sadece ben değil, tüm meslektaşlarım şikayetçi ama dinleyen kim? ['We're exhausted, but @DRdunyasi is not. Yet again, disrespect for labour. Once again, the translator's name is missing. It's not just me, my colleagues are complaining too, but who cares?'] ['Tweet']. X. https://x.com/ArzuAltinanit/status/1892971608874123738
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Handling Editor: Boris Naimushin, New Bulgarian University
Verified Editor Record on Publons
Reviewers:
1. Antony Hoyte-West, Independent Researcher, UK
2. Name Unidisclosed