In her dissertation Thomson-Wohlgemuth argues that ‘there seems to be agreement that the translation problems in texts for adults and for children are, essentially, the same; they can be described using the same concepts and can be arranged in the same categories’ (1998, p. 36).
However, there are a lot of specific translation problems in children’s literature translation which could of course be grouped in broad categories, which also contain similar problems concerning adult texts translation but which have to be handled quiet differently due to target group specific considerations. The following essay will argue this point choosing from a huge range three exemplary categories comprising specific children’s literature translation problems.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Cultural Embedded Elements
- Names
- Read-Aloud-Ability
- Visual Elements
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay investigates the specific challenges of translating children's literature, arguing that they differ significantly from those encountered in adult literature translation. The main objective is to demonstrate the unique complexities of translating children's literature due to the target audience's specific needs and preferences.
- Cultural embedded elements
- Proper names in children's literature
- Read-aloud-ability
- Visual elements in children's literature
- The impact of target audience age on translation problems
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by introducing the argument that children's literature translation poses unique challenges due to the target audience's specific needs and preferences. The essay then explores various categories of translation problems specific to children's literature, including cultural embedded elements, names, read-aloud-ability, and visual elements. Each category is explored in detail, highlighting the specific challenges and considerations that translators face in these contexts. For example, the essay discusses the significance of adapting cultural norms in children's literature to align with the target culture, considering the educational role of children's literature. Additionally, it explores the challenges of translating proper names, particularly in children's literature aimed at a young audience, where foreign names might be perceived as challenging for young readers.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Children's literature, adult literature, translation problems, cultural embedded elements, names, read-aloud-ability, visual elements, target audience, accessibility, domestication, foreignization, polysystem, interrelation between text and image, children's literature translation problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is translating children's literature the same as translating for adults?
While some argue the problems are conceptually the same, this essay argues that children's literature translation involves unique challenges due to the specific needs, cultural knowledge, and reading abilities of the target audience.
What are "cultural embedded elements" in translation?
These are cultural norms, traditions, or items specific to a source culture that may need adaptation (domestication) so that young readers in the target culture can understand and relate to them.
Why is "read-aloud-ability" important for children's books?
Children's books are often read aloud by parents or teachers. Translators must ensure the text has a good rhythm and flow to make it engaging for both the reader and the listener.
How should names be handled in children's literature translation?
Translators often adapt foreign names to make them more accessible or to preserve the "charactonym" (a name that suggests a personality trait) which might be lost if kept in the original language.
What role do visual elements play in the translation process?
In children's books, there is a strong interrelation between text and image. The translation must align with the illustrations to maintain the story's coherence.
- Quote paper
- Dörte Schabsky (Author), 2012, Adult vs. Children's Literature Translation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207988
