James who was a self-conscious writer with a love of French literature and language would have frowned on this inadequate translation because it not only tones down the artistic banner he chose for his novel, but it also alters the problematics of the novel. 1 And Jane Campion’s 1986 film in its French version has retained the same title. The French translation of the title The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James is Portrait de Femme. All references to the En (.)ġ The germ of this article comes from a reaction to a shift in language.
1 The French edition, Portrait de femme, was translated by Claude Bonnafond.
