Käännöstoolit

Käännöstoolit, literally translating to "translation chairs" in Finnish, is a term that emerged in discussions surrounding the translation of literary works, particularly those with strong cultural or linguistic specificities. It refers to the idea that certain texts, due to their intricate wordplay, idiomatic expressions, or deeply embedded cultural references, may require a translator to go beyond a literal rendering and actively "translate the chairs" of the original context into a new cultural and linguistic space. This concept highlights the challenge of conveying not just the meaning of words, but also the underlying cultural assumptions, emotional nuances, and stylistic devices that make a text unique.

The term suggests that a translator might need to adopt a different approach, almost as if they are "rebuilding" the original context rather than simply substituting words. This can involve finding equivalent cultural concepts, adapting humor and irony, or even explaining certain elements implicitly or explicitly. Käännöstoolit is not a formal academic term but rather a descriptive phrase that captures the complex and often creative demands placed upon literary translators. It underscores the notion that translation is not always a transparent process but can involve significant interpretive and adaptive work to ensure the target audience can experience a comparable richness to the original source text.