The translation of cultural aspects in South African children's literature in Afrikaans and English: A micro-analysis

Haidee Kruger*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper explores the textual-linguistic norms evident in the translation of culturally specific material in a sample of translated South African children's books in Afrikaans and English, with a view to investigating the tensions between domestication and foreignisation, particularly as related to different types of books, such as primers, local picture books, and international picture books. A detailed qualitative textual analysis of micro-level translation choices relating to cultural orientation is presented, comparing the 21 translations in the sample with their source texts, and comparing subsamples of different types of books with one another. The analysis suggests the prevalence of hybrid translation strategies that orient translated texts in multiple cultural directions, but also indicates potentially significant differences in this regard between different types of books, with translations of international picture books tending towards greater use of domesticating strategies, despite their generally culturally generic background.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)156-181
Number of pages26
JournalPerspectives: Studies in Translatology
Volume21
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013
Externally publishedYes

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