The translator's social networks in literary translation: A case study of Nicky Harman's translation of Jia Pingwa's novel Gaoxing

This paper examines the role of translator's social networks in literary translation through a case study of Nicky Harman's translation of Jia Pingwa's novel Gaoxing 高兴 (literally meaning “Happy”). Jia is one of the most prominent contemporary Chinese writers, and his novel Gaoxing depicts the lives of migrant workers in Xi'an with extensive use of Shaanxi dialect and culture-specific terms. From a sociological approach of translator studies, this paper examines how Harman, a renowned British translator of contemporary Chinese literature, utilized her networks with the author, the editor, and a professional reader during the process of translation. Through detailed analysis of first-hand research materials, including interviews and correspondence, this paper demonstrates the importance of social networks in the process of literary translation, which is not simply a lone translator working with a literary text.