Translation issues in comparative literature: : a study of the translation of culture-specific expressions in Salina
| dc.contributor.author | Lalita Sinha | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2016-10-28T02:25:18Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2016-10-28T02:25:18Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1998-01 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Although meaning in an expression may be universal, the expression of meaning is specific to individual cultures. The present thesis hopes to study·some issues related to the transmission of culture-specific meaning in Malay-to-English translation, with reference to a contemporary Malay novel, A. Samad Said's Salina. Expressions from the novel are analysed thematically to examine the theoretical and practical problems of translation encountered, and the strategies employed to solve them. The two translated texts, one by Harry A veling and another by Hawa Abdullah, are comparatively evaluated to determine how far each ret1ects the culture-specific content in the original text. In order to develop a source of bilingual equivalents for future literary translators, a computerised "dictionary" is initiated, comprising culture-specific expressions from the Sali..!:J.a texts. The study tests the validity of the theory that literaLY translation is a culturally charged activity. The assumption is that an original text is a "culture bearer" and therefore a translated text has the role of "culture transmitter" between originating and receiving cultures. However, socio-cultural variables in a translator's background int1uence the translator's approach and strategy, and generally, non-Western or minor-culture texts are subjected to Western or major-culture norms when translated into English. The findings of the study are summarised as follows. First, that the original Salina is steeped in an essentially Malay identity which cannot be properly understood and appreciated without a well-grounded linguistic and extra-linguistic knowledge. Next, that there is a marked difference between the Western translator and the non-Western translator, in dealing with translation problems. Further, that a hierarchy exists between the author and translators of the Salina texts. One translator subverts that hierarchy, whereas the other submits to it. Finally, the study reveals that maintaining an authorover- translator hierarchy results in a successful transmission of culture-specific meaning in the Malay-to-English translation of Salina. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2917 | |
| dc.subject | The expression of meaning is | en_US |
| dc.subject | specific to individual cultures | en_US |
| dc.title | Translation issues in comparative literature: : a study of the translation of culture-specific expressions in Salina | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
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