Original scientific paper
Translators pushed to the margins: who cares about footnotes?
Edin Badić
Sandra Ljubas
Abstract
Literary translators often use (foot)notes to narrow the divide between languages and cultures. In principle, there are two types of translator’s (foot)notes: explanatory notes “that function as a supplement to the text and have an explicative or informative function” and discursive notes that “act as a commentary and have a discursive or performative function” (Toledano Buendia 2013: 157). In Croatia, no extensive studies on the production, distribution and reception of translator’s footnotes have yet been conducted. This survey aims to explore the attitudes of both the authors and the consumers of translated literature towards the use of translator’s footnotes. Two separate online questionnaires consisting of Likert statements, multiple-choice and open-ended questions were designed and circulated among two groups of relevant respondents. The first group was comprised of active literary translators, and the second of active readers of translated literature. The collected data were processed to produce detailed insights into: a) the attitudes of translators towards the acceptability and usefulness of footnotes, b) their actual practice of refraining from or resorting to footnotes as a means of overcoming translation challenges, c) the attitudes of readers towards the usefulness and desirability of translator’s footnotes, and d) their actual practice of skipping or reading translator’s footnotes. Our findings indicate that literary translators are sometimes reluctant to use footnotes and employ them only when absolutely necessary. Readers, by contrast, report that they appreciate footnotes, viewing them as an enriching aspect of the reading process. Notably, the reading flow is more disrupted by the need to search the internet for unexplained references, as this physically removes readers from the book. Other factors contributing to translators’ avoidance of footnotes include a preference for less “visible” translation solutions, deferring to editors for the final decision on their use, and adhering to the recommendations and guidelines set by professors, mentors, or esteemed literary translators. This study provides critical insights into the role and perception of footnotes in Croatian literary translations and contributes to the advancement of descriptive (literary) translation studies in Croatia.
Keywords
footnotes; translator’s attitudes; reader preferences; literary translation studies
Hrčak ID:
333999
URI
Publication date:
24.7.2025.
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