The treacle triplets : a functional approach to the translation of children's literature

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the mechanics behind the translation of children's literature through apractical translation from Dutch into English and an introspective commentary thereof. It alsoexamines the cultural disparity and Anglo-American dominance within (translated) children'sliterature.Through this translation and study, this thesis would like to contribute to the one-sided literarytraffic and point out the cultural consequences this imbalance in trade will hold. Not only for aworld library of children's literature, but also for English speaking children who are increasinglyoblivious of foreign literature. This thesis especially addresses the British reluctance towardstranslated foreign children's literature due to the strong position of English as a language and thequality of the British national children's literature. Furthermore, it challenges translation studies toconsider the different needs and strategies for the translation of children's literature.The approach this translator proposed for the translation of De zusjes Kriegel was a functionaldialogic approach. This thesis therefore touches upon the developments that have led to the rise andwide applicability of functionalism in the practice of translation. Some of the most salient theoristsin translation of children's literature will also be discussed, specifically focusing on RiittaOittinen's ideas on Bakhtinian dialogue and carnivalism in relation to the translation of children'sliterature.A functional dialogic approach to the practical translation of De zusjes Kriegel has led to an overallnaturalised and domesticated translation in which the source text was adapted to a British target textcultural setting. This strategy was chosen to guarantee positive reception of the translation in thetarget text culture. A small-scale empirical reception survey has asserted this positive reception andreinforced some of this thesis' presuppositions, among others that English-speaking children haveno access to and no knowledge of foreign literature.Through the success of the practical translation and the positive reception of the target text thisstudy has emphasised the importance and cultural necessity of translating foreign children'sliterature into English.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University