Translation Issues in the Work of Vassilis Alexakis
Ap. J.-C., the second most recent novel by the Greek Francophone writer Vassilis Alexakis, is an important example of the issue of self-translation. Unlike Francophone writers for whom the French language was imposed during colonization, Alexakis was not predisposed to write in French. What led him to use a language other than his mother tongue in his career? Why does he write in two languages? This is not the first time that Alexakis’ work has been analyzed through the lens of what is known as self-translation. However, we are currently witnessing Alexakis’ return to Greek, as the novel Ap. J-C. was also written in Greek and self-translated into French. What are the operational choices made by the author in such a remote context as Mount Athos, also known as the Holy Mountain, in Ap. J-C., in order to create such different imaginaries? After an overview of the novel’s characters and theme, we will first try to answer this question through a thematic analysis of his work. Secondly, we will address socio-linguistic and cultural issues that arise from passing from one language to another, specifically through self-translation.