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Vol. 34:2 (2022) ► pp.219–250

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Character description as a network of signification in Russian translations of Jane Eyre

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This article re-evaluates the theoretical import of networks of signification, one of Antoine Berman’s twelve deforming tendencies in translation. Taking Jane Eyre as a case study, the article considers character description as an example of a Bermanian network and traces the physical appearance of the novel’s characters across its six Russian translations. Character description represents a network that is traceable, depends on the reader’s ability to construct a visual mental image over the course of a narrative, has a tangible impact on characterisation, and remains relevant throughout a novel. It thus offers a concrete illustration of the relevance of networks of signification as a model for the systemic interpretative potential of translation variation. This analysis paves the way for further study of Bermanian networks and the ultimate integration of this concept in translation practice.
Keywords: character description, Antoine Berman, networks of signification, Charlotte Brontë, literary portrait, translation variation
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Character description and networks of signification
  • 3.The literary portrait and the Russian Jane Eyre
  • 4.Rochester’s physiognomy
  • 5.Character and characterisation
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Jane Eyre in Russian (chronological order)
  • References
Published online: 26 November 2021
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https://doi.org/10.1075/target.20079.kel
References (81)
Jane Eyre in Russian (chronological order)
April 1849, summary with translated excerpts:
Anon. 1849. “Литературные новости в Англии: Дженни Иръ: Автобиография [Literary news in England: Jane Eyre: Autobiography].” Библиотека для чтения [Library for reading] 94 (2), Seg. 71: 151–172.Google Scholar
May 1849, first translation by Irinarkh Vvedenskii (5 parts):
Vvedenskii, Irinarkh. 1849. Дженни Иръ: Романъ [Jane Eyre: A novel]. By Charlotte Brontë. Отечественные записки [Annals of the fatherland] 64 (6), Seg. 1: 175–250; 65 (7), Seg. 1: 67–158; 65 (8): 179–262; 66 (9), Seg. 1: 65–132, 66 (10), Seg. 11: 193–330.Google Scholar
1850, second summary:
Anon. 1850. “Джен Эйръ, роман Коррер Белля [Jane Eyre: Currer Bell’s novel].” Sovremennik 21/61, Seg. 41: 31–38.Google Scholar
1852, third summary with translated excerpts:
Druzhinin, Aleksandr. 1852. “Корреръ Белль и его два романа: ‘Шэрли’ и ‘Дженъ-Иръ’. [Currer Bell and his two novels: ‘Shirley’ and ‘Jane Eyre’].” Библиотека для чтения [Library for reading] 1161: 23–54.Google Scholar
1857, translation by Sof’ia Ivanovna Koshlakova, from “Jane Eyre. Mémoires d’une gouvernante, Imité par Old-Nick [Jane Eyre: Memoirs of a governess, imitated by Old-Nick],” pseudonym of Paul-Émile Daurand-Forgues. Brussels: Meline, Cans et compagnie, 1849:
Koshlakova, Sof’ia Ivanovna. 1857. Дженни Эйръ, или записки гувернантки [Jane Eyre, or notes of a governess]. By Charlotte Brontë. Библиотека для дач, пароходов и железных дорог [Library for summer retreats, steamboats and railways]. St. Petersburg: Типография императорской академии наук.Google Scholar
1893, translation by V. D. Vladimirov (pseudonym of Vladimir Dmitrievich Vol’fson):
Vladimirov, V. D. 1893. Дженни Эйр (Ловудская сирота). Роман-автобиография в 2х частях [Jane Eyre (The orphan of Lowood): Novel-autobiography in 2 parts]. By Charlotte Brontë. St. Petersburg: M.M. Lederle & Ko.Google Scholar
1889, translation of the German play Die Waise aus Lowood by Charlotte Birch-Pfeiffer (1853):
Мансфельд, Дмитрий Августович. 1889. Ловудская сирота: Жан Эйр [The orphan of Lowood: Jane Eyre]. By Sh. Birkh-Pfeifer. Moscow: Литография Московской театральной библиотеки Е.Н. Рассохиной.Google Scholar
1901, abridged for a youth audience:
Anon. 1901. Джени Эйр, история моей жизни [Jane Eyre, the story of my life]. By Charlotte Brontë. Abridged translation from English. Юный читатель, журнал для детей старшего возраста [Young reader, magazine for older children] 31, 5.Google Scholar
1950, canonical Soviet translation by Vera Stanevich:
Stanevich, Vera. 1950. Джен Эйр [Jane Eyre]. By Charlotte Brontë. Moscow: Гослитиздат (Leningrad: 2ia fabrika det. Knigi Detgiza).Google Scholar
1990, Vera Stanevich’s translation with censored passages restored:
Stanevich, Vera. 1990. Джен Эйр [Jane Eyre]. By Charlotte Brontë. Omissions in the text reconstructed by Irina Gurova. Moscow: Художественная литература.Google Scholar
1999, translation by Irina Gurova. The 1999 edition includes two novels under one cover (also Рождество в Индии by Barbara Ford, translated by V. Semenov. The 2005 edition used for page references in this article is a reprint of the 1999 edition:
Gurova, Irina. 1999. Джейн Эйр [Jane Eyre]. By Charlotte Brontë. Moscow: AST.Google Scholar
. 2005. Джейн Эйр [Jane Eyre]. By Charlotte Brontë. Moscow: AST.Google Scholar
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Cited by one other publication

Kelbert, Eugenia
2023. 17. Appearing Jane, in Russian. In Prismatic Jane Eyre, ► pp. 750 ff. DOI logo

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