Ahmet Mithat’s Translation Preferences and Social Anxiety

Authors : S. Zehra Kaya

Pages : 99-120

Doi:10.17828/yalovasosbil.1647627

View : 18 | Download : 15

Publication Date : 2025-04-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study will examine Ahmet Mithat Efendi’s translation strategy in the context of “social anxiety.” Social anxiety can be defined as an attempt to alleviate the anxiety caused by the rapid social transformations of the period through literature. Although Ahmet Mithat’s translation strategy has been studied in the related literature, a detailed evaluation from the perspective of social anxiety is lacking. Analyzing how the author shaped this strategy will provide a new perspective to existing research and clarify his motivations in the translation process. The study employs a descriptive method to analyze Ahmet Mithat’s literary translations and prefaces. In particular, the source cultures of the stories especially in his Letaif-i Rivayat collection, which are considered within the framework of “assumed translation,” will be examined. Additionally, the influence of social anxiety on the author’s translation preferences will be explained. This article argues that social anxiety was the key factor in Ahmet Mithat’s translation choices, particularly in his engagement with Western culture. Understanding this influence will allow for a deeper comprehension of the motivations behind his strategy. In conclusion, this study offers a new theoretical framework by analyzing Ahmet Mithat’s translation strategy through the lens of social anxiety.
Keywords : Çeviribilim, Tercüme Stratejisi, Duygu Cemaatleri, Toplumsal Kaygı, Ahmet Mithat Efendi