Irem Kurtdemir L&S Arts & Humanities
Dubbing the Turkish Diaspora: Voice in Shafak Novels & Yeşilçam Cinema
My research focuses on the representation of Turkish characters in English-language fiction, using Ben Tran’s concept of “literary dubbing” as a framework. In Elif Shafak’s The Bastard of Istanbul (originally written in English), the characters experience life in Turkish, but Shafak represents their thoughts and speech in English. This choice resonates with dubbing foreign films. Shafak, in a way, “dubs” the thought-language of the characters, detaching voices from bodies and characters from sociolinguistic contexts. My project asks: How can we analyze the voices of Kazancı women in The Bastard of Istanbul? Do their voices function similarly to dubbed voices in Turkish Yeşilçam Cinema? Turkish critics argue that characters in The Bastard of Istanbul are mapped onto either Kemalist or Islamist archetypes to educate Western readers about Turkish political discourse. Rather than dismissing Shafak’s portrayal of her characters as an inauthentic representation of Turkish life and culture, I my project will challenge rigid binaries between sincere and insincere cultural expression. My findings in this project will serve as a basis for my planned senior thesis.
Message To Sponsor
I am very grateful to have the opportunity to explore my interest in Turkish literature and film. I am excited to research the intersection of these interests, especially since few resources on Turkish literature and film are available at UC Berkeley. I would like to thank my donor for all of the resources they help providde, my research wouldn't be possible without their generous support.