The Role of Paratexts in Raising Ecological Awareness

A Case Study of the Persian Translation of Animal Farm

Abstract

By integrating concepts from eco-translation and ecocriticism, the study seeks to establish what role, if any, paratextual features have in the readers’ understanding of ecological themes in the beast fable. In anthropomorphic stories, developing ecological awareness involves moving away from allegorical interpretations to foster a more direct emotional connection with nature. Despite the growing interest in ecological narratives, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the influence of paratexts on ecological awareness, particularly in translated works. To this end, the current study addresses the following questions: “How does the cover of the book hinder or facilitate an ecological reading of a translation?” and “How is allegorical meaning depicted in the cover of the book?” To address these questions, the research conducts a case study of 10 different Persian translations of Animal Farm, all translated by Amir Amirshahi but published with varying paratextual designs. By analyzing the cover structures and titles in detail, the research suggests how these factors are likely to influence readers’ expectations before they undertake the actual word of the text itself. Due to such paratextual variations, these works can be further divided into opposing extremes and or continuums from allegorical to ecological interpretations, where one pole emphasizes the actual relationship between animals and humans and the other employs animals as vehicles for anthropocentric considerations. By highlighting the significant role that paratexts play in shaping reader perceptions and constructing meaning within ecological narratives, the study helps in understanding how translations can reframe the impression of ecological messages through their paratextual representation.