Analysis of the Russian Translation of the Short Story “With Ears on the Back” by Mircea Cărtărescu (from the Collection “Why We Love Women”)

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive philological and translation studies analysis of Mircea Cărtărescu’s short story “With Ears on the Back” (Cu urechile pe spate) from the collection “Why We Love Women” (De ce iubim femeile). The research focuses on the deconstruction of male egocentrism and the mechanisms underlying the formation of a “narrative of repentance.” Particular emphasis is placed on the translation strategies employed by Anastasia Starostina. The work reflects on how “emotional autism” can be concealed behind an intellectual persona and examines how the translator identified Russian lexical choices capable of conveying a visceral sense of guilt.