“I suggest you read my translation of this thread”

Twitter and paratextual interventions of the journalator

Abstract

Journalators, journalists who actively leverage translation within their professional practice, are increasingly utilizing social media platforms to disseminate content, engage with audiences, and establish themselves as experts. This study delves into the paratextual interventions employed by journalators on Twitter, specifically focusing on forms and functions of these interventions. The analysis reveals diverse paratextual forms including translations of selected segments with hyperlinks to the original content, translations accompanied by contextualization to aid comprehension, and invitations extended to readers to engage with the journalator's work. By examining these forms, the study highlights the multifaceted nature of paratexts within the context of journalistic translation on Twitter. The study also explores the various functions served by these paratexts, drawing upon established typologies from paratextual studies. The findings reveal that journalator paratexts serve a multitude of purposes, encompassing referential, hermeneutic, community-building and commercial functions. This research underscores the significant role of social media platforms like Twitter in expanding the scope of journalators, their paratextual practices, and their agency. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for further exploration of this evolving landscape, highlighting the potential for deeper insights into the intricate interplay between journalators, their audiences, and the paratexts they craft on social media platforms.