This dissertation explores the application of the sociological narrative theory in
Translation Studies, with a focus on the Finnish translations of texts related to
Finland’s national composer, Jean Sibelius. Drawing on Mona Baker and the
scholars upon whom she bases her theory, the study first critically examines the
premise of the approach and then aims to throw light upon how the theory can be
used in the analysis of narratives focussing on an individual. For this purpose,
particular attention is paid to translators’ agency and translatorship.

In the dissertation, I conduct a multiple-case study on 12 Sibelius-related texts
published in Finland and translated into Finnish from Swedish, English and German
between 1916 and 1965. A three-part contextual framework is introduced to
elucidate some of the relational settings from which the literary materials examined
emerged and to provide an understanding of the overall literary genre of non-fiction
texts. The texts are then studied with the help of various paratextual sources to
uncover different narrative strands and the agencies involved in creating and
promoting the nationally significant Sibelius narrative.

The results of the study suggest that combining the sociological narrative theory
in Translation Studies with agential considerations can provide valuable insights into
the mechanisms of narrative construction and help to examine translators’ role in
social developments that may have a considerable lifespan. At the same time, it
acknowledges that further research into the underlying principles and history of the
theory is needed to truly solidify the narrative approach as an academically viable
option within Translation Studies.

The findings of the study also suggest that questions concerning narrative
construction extend beyond the technicalities and structural aspects of the building
process. Based on the multiple-case study conducted, I argue that narrative
construction needs to be considered more broadly if the aim is to gain a more
comprehensive understanding of the narrative examined.