De la traduction : J. Thibaudeau et J.-P. Manganaro médiateurs d'Italo Calvino

Translation, the real founder of European unity, represents the privileged place for observation of the meeting of different cultures, writings and literary characters. In this light, the study of the transpositions of the works of Italo Calvino in France reveals how, between neighbouring countries there exists profound linguistic and cultural differences brought to light on occasion of an analysis of the original text and its translation. On the basis of this research we find thus the meeting between close but distinctly different civilisations, put in relation by two translators with heterogeneous experience and sensitivity. Our investigation concerns not only the translations but also the retranslation of the main works of Calvino on the part of Jean Thibaudeau, writer for the book trade and for the radio, selected by the author himself (in the 1970s), and of Jean-Paul Manganaro, professional translator, nominated by the publisher ‘Le Seuil’ (in the 1980s). Works such as Les Villes invisibles and La Route de San Giovanni put in light the relationship of J. Thibaudeau and J.-P. Manganaro with the translated text. Collection de sable and Le Château des destins croisés underline how from two different personalities, two different versions of the same work can emerge, which are then sometimes rewritten by the author. Antonymous characters, the translators in question revealed themselves to be two great mediators : through their own personal creation, the two took charge of giving an image to the Italian writer on the French side of the Alps, bringing up-to-date the role of the literary translator-go-between in our society. The character of Hermes appears in the background.