Authors

Matilda Hicklin¹;  ¹ University of Bristol, UK

Discussion

This paper explores the complex intersection of Russian feminist poetry, machine translation and the ethical dimensions of the practice of post-editing. Post-editing refers to the human revision of machine-translated texts. The case study compares source poems with my own ‘human’ translations, as well as their machine-translated and post-edited counterparts, to investigate the transference of linguistic and cultural nuances within the framework of feminist discourse. I consider the texts’ formal features, along with metatextual material, to address the ethical issues surrounding translating and post-editing contemporary feminist poetry. 

The exponential development of machine translation has been accompanied by problematic gender bias and misinterpretation (e.g., Savoldi et al. 2021; Saunders et al. 2020). Moreover, its effectiveness in translating poetic language can be questioned (Humble 2019). I build on research on the ethical implications of machine-translation use and post-editing, in particular in terms of voice and agency (Kenny and Winters 2020). I examine how the machine-translation process may influence the feminist message of the texts, and how this message is in turn affected by the post-editing process. Post-editing as a practice also presents ethical dilemmas. Who is responsible for the final product? To what extent can the post-editor respect and preserve the poet's voice whilst imposing their own? 

This paper offers insights into the linguistic and cultural challenges of post-editing contemporary Russian feminist poetry, shedding light on the delicate balance between technology, agency and creativity.