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Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the challenges faced in translating non-standard language and dialects in literary works. It comprises a translation of a 12,000-character excerpt from a work of historical fiction published in 2012 in Japanese, accompanied by a commentary. 

Following a discussion on the historical and contemporary usage of dialects in Japan, their role in the source text is considered along with their impact on Japanese-speaking readers. The dissertation highlights the importance of dialects in the source text and emphasizes their crucial role in conveying a sense of place and time.

Different approaches used by translators to effectively convey source language dialects into English, as well as strategies employed to reproduce a similar effect in the target text, are compared. By drawing on previous translation strategies followed in making Japanese novels available in English, the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches are weighed, considering their suitability for the translation at hand.

The commentary analyses the translation choices made, explaining the reasoning behind them. The main objective of the translation was twofold: to ensure clarity and ease of understanding for English readers, while also preserving the effect created by the usage of regional dialects and archaic speech in the original text. The resulting translation product remains accessible to readers with little or no knowledge of Japanese, while effectively conveying the impact of non-standard language through various methods.

This dissertation argues against the standardization or omission of non-standard language, particularly in literary translation, and delves into a wide range of strategies used by professional translators. By exploring the challenges involved in translating non-standard Japanese, this work demonstrates the importance of understanding dialects within the source culture and showcases the methods available for effectively conveying their nuances into the target language.

Course: Translation Studies - MA/PGD - C0680

Date Deposited: 2024-02-06

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14366.html