Die vertaling van The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency van Alexander McCall Smith : strategieë en besluite tydens die vertaalproses.
Date
2006-12
Authors
Muller, Margaret Beatrice
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
This descriptive case study is based on the translation of the first part of Alexander
McCall Smith’s book, The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, into Afrikaans. Examples
of the type of translational problems that this translator experienced, as well as the
strategies that were implemented to solve these problems, are discussed in an
accompanying annotation. In this way the translator has attempted to explain her
thought and decision-making processes during the translation process.
Various concepts from translation studies theory, including foreignization and
domestication, are discussed with reference to the practical translation, and support
the solutions suggested for translational problems. This translator mainly used a
foreignizing approach, although some degree of domestication was inevitable at
times in order to avoid the alienation of target readers from the target text. The
required characteristics of the target text and the knowledge and cultural background
of the target readers are therefore also discussed, as both these factors played a
defining role during the translation process.
The need for Afrikaans literature between the so-called “high literature” and light
romantic fiction is discussed, as this contributed to the choice of source text:
according to this translator the translation of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency into
Afrikaans will be able to help fill this gap. Although this translator understands that
financial restrictions play a large role in publishers’ reluctance to publish translations,
the statement is made that they should not accept without further ado that an
Afrikaans translation will result in a financial loss if no research has been done into
the possibilities of that specific translation. Recommendations regarding market
research are made and the possibility of future study is indicated.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Afruikaans and Dutch))—University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
Keywords
McCall Smith, Alexander,1948- -- No. 1 ladies' detective agency -- Translations into Afrikaans, Translating and interpreting, Dissertations -- Afrikaans and Dutch, Theses -- Afrikaans and Dutch