(De)Constructing Borders. Japanese Contemporary Literature and Translation in the Global Context

In this paper I try to focus on the concept of “untranslatability” and to apply it to the works of four representative Japanese contemporary writers: the globally renowned author Murakami Haruki (b.1949), but also scarcely translated authors such as Toh EnJoe (b.1972), Tawada Yōko (b.1960), Mizumura Minae (b. 1951). Employing the theoretical approach of the most recent developments in Translation Studies – especially Emily Apter’s works – I try to put into discussion the importance of translation and the value of concepts like “national/global/border-crossing” in the context of contemporary Japanese literature.