El franquismo frente a otras voces: Ana Frank, soterrada en español, al descubierto en catalán

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of the socio-political environment on the publication of the first translation into Catalan of Anne Frank’s diary (Folch i Camarasa 1959), which had passages cut from the Spanish rendition in 1955. On the basis of two translations of the same text into two languages spoken in Spain, the analysis will centre on the impact of the changes occurred during the 1950s, characterised by a moderate “opening up.” Attention will be drawn to the role played by the Catalonian publishing industry in reviving cultural production at a time when the voices of the Other were subject to strict control. The efforts to ensure that the book -penned by an author whose testimony pertained to a distant reality- was available in Catalan show the willingness to use translation as a means to question the dominant hegemonic discourse. Furthermore, the text can be considered the initiator of the development underwent by the publishing sector in Catalonia starting in 1962. On the other hand, tolerance with regard to this translation is to be explained on the grounds that the Francoist regime had to adapt itself to the circumstances and make concessions to promote a positive international image.