Non-selection of Foreign Literary Works in the System of Translated Literature in Iran

Abstract

This paper focuses on the non-selection of certain 20th century Anglo-American novels for translation into Persian in the post-Revolution era in Iran. It explores the influence of the state patronage and its ideology on the non-selection of literary works for translation. The non-appearance of these novels is surveyed with reference to their themes, and at the same time the regulations of book publication are consulted to see if any of the examined themes are regarded as forbidden by the Islamic state. Through this, the paper explains why professional translators have not chosen those novels. It also tries to consider cases where translators have opted for novels with such themes, and surveys the consequences of their action. The results show that foreign novels with certain themes are not selected for translation in the post-Revolution Iran, and whenever they are, they are either seized and announced ‘unprintable’ or are subjected to ‘amendments’ to bring them in line with the regulations the state has established.