Sexuality and Translation: Rewriting Identities and Desires

Abstract

This chapter offers a panorama of research on sexuality and translation, a promising field of research still underexamined. Two directions are identified: the translation of sexuality and the sexualization of translation. The cooperation between disciplines has generated a number of new areas of study, including erotic/pornographic translation, (self)censorship in translation, and gay/queer translation. These promising lines of inquiry are briefly presented, and a few examples of analyses are added. Though much more work is needed, the critical alliance of translation and sexuality seems to be offering valuable insights into the ideological construction of a given society, particularly into the endless (re)writings of sexual identities, desires, and pleasures. Whether they will constitute a proper interdiscipline—in terms of a common focus or methodologies—remains to be seen.