The Representation Of Turkish Literature In Urdu: A Case Study Of Translated Novels

Abstract

A remarkable increase in the number of novel translations from Turkish into Urdu has garnered significant attention in recent years. Until the early 2000s, Turkish literature was represented in Urdu with only a limited number of translations. However, the last decade has witnessed notable growth in the translation of Turkish novels into Urdu, which has contributed to the recognition of Turkish prose within the Urdu literary sphere. While historical studies have addressed the state of Turkish literature in the global context, a comprehensive examination of its representation in Urdu, particularly through novels, remains underexplored. This study examines the reasons behind the growing interest in translating Turkish novels into Urdu from a historical and critical perspective. Furthermore, it
explores how these translations portray Turkish literature and identity to Urduspeaking audiences, an aspect of great importance given the cultural exchange between the two linguistic traditions. The subject matter, tone, and themes prevalent in the selected novels are also analyzed to understand their role in shaping perceptions of Turkish cultural and literary identity. The research involves a survey of Turkish novels translated into Urdu from 2000 to 2010, highlighting prevailing trends and themes in the translations. Various books, literary journals, and online sources were utilized to compile a bibliography of these novels. Although a detailed comparative textual analysis lies beyond the scope of this study, critical discourse analysis focusing on paratextual materials is employed as the primary method.