(Yeditepe University)
Challenges in translating Genji Monogatari into Turkish
68th Annual Meeting of the PIAC, Bangkok 2026
Translating a classic work like the Genji Monogatari into Turkish presents numerous cultural and linguistic challenges. First and foremost, the Genji Monogatari is deeply rooted in Japan’s Heian period and culturally reflects the court life, aesthetics, and social norms of that era.
Ancient Japanese calligraphy and poetry are rich in elements that have no direct equivalent in our culture. For example, references to older waka poems or specific cultural practices must be carefully considered. Translators often have to add footnotes or explanations to aid understanding, which can sometimes disrupt the flow of the reading. The aesthetic principles of the Heian court, concepts of beauty, love, and nature, are intricately woven into the narrative. These values may not resonate with Turkish readers; Therefore, the translator must not only convey the meaning but also create a translation that evokes similar emotions and imagery.
The language used in Genji Monogatari is Classical Japanese, which differs significantly from modern Japanese and contains an ancient vocabulary and grammatical structures that are difficult to interpret.
For example, the use of pronouns is often ambiguous, and the translator must look at the context to interpret them. The text contains idioms, proverbs, and expressions specific to Japanese culture. Finding equivalent equivalents in Turkish that convey the same meaning and do not lose their cultural significance poses a significant challenge. The translator often has to create new expressions that will resonate in the target culture; however, they must also remain faithful to the original text.
In this article, I will provide a brief overview of my translation of the Tale of Genji into Turkish, discuss some of the problems I encountered, and explain my solutions with illustrative examples.