Echoes of Ferdowsi: Ottoman Translations of the Shahnameh and Translation Criticism

 

Ferdowsi’s monumental poetic epic, the Shahnameh (977–1010), has been the cornerstone of Persian literature, captivating audiences for centuries. Several translations were produced during the Ottoman period (1300–1922), each shaped by the linguistic, cultural, and political climate of the time. This presentation will evaluate the translation of Dervish Hasan Medhî (17th c.) through the lens of modern translation criticism. It will also briefly address the broader project of analyzing all known translations of the Shahnamehproduced during the Ottoman period. By conducting comparative analyses of source and target texts and error assessments, we aim to uncover the methodology behind these translations. This discussion will also shed light on the Ottoman translation tradition, textual criticism, and the interaction between source and target texts.