The Curious Incident of Feminist Translation in Galicia: Courtcases, Lies and Gender-n@tions

This article will use a personal and highly controversial case, my translation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by British author Mark Haddon into Galician, to explain how my contract was terminated by the publisher Rinoceronte Editora due to my use of feminist translation strategies. As I will explain, such strategies implied not translating gender neutral nouns in English into masculine or feminine according to patriarchal expectations. I will describe and analyse this case study in the light of feminist translation theory, with a view to understanding not just my choices but the reactions this public case elicited from several of the parties involved and the public. I will also draw some conclusions on how intertwined notions of gender and the nation informed in the ensuing public discussion.