Children's Literature Translation: An Overview

University of Surrey
School of Language and
International Studies
POSTGRADUATE
DIPLOMA/MA IN TRANSLATION
Children’s Literature and its Translation.
An Overview
Submitted by: Gabriele Thomson-Wohlgemuth
Supervisor: Dr Gunilla Anderman
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for
the degree of MA in translation at the University of Surrey
September 1998

© Gabriele Thomson-Wohlgemuth

Abstract
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Abstract
The subject of this dissertation is children’s literature and the translation of books for
children. Various aspects of both these subjects are discussed in order to present a
comprehensive overview of this field. A definition and a review of the subject of
children’s literature are given. The problems of adult dominance are examined,
particularly in the sections on “Asymmetry”, “Selection”, “Ambivalence” and
“Manipulation”. Cultural differences are highlighted and their implications for the
translation of children’s literature pointed out, and particular emphasis is placed on
the common translation strategy of cultural and moral adaptations of the source text.
The roles of author, translator and publisher are explored. Particular emphasis is
placed on the financial side of the book industry, involving the issues of book fairs
and co-productions. The world-wide significance and dominance of the English
language is shown, elucidating the problem of major and lesser used languages. The
connection with Polysystem Theory is also described. The question of power is
found to be a central issue in children’s literature and, therefore, is given special
consideration. An attempt is made to identify the major sources of power and discuss
their effects. Finally, some case studies are included to complete the picture and to
serve as examples of what has been discussed in the previous four chapters.

Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
ABSTRACT ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS viii
PREFACE ix
INTRODUCTION 1
1 CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
1.1 Status 3
1.2 Definition 5
1.3 Recipients 7
1.4 Language, Reading Situation and Readability 10
1.5 Successful Books 14
1.6 Asymmetry and Selection 15
1.7 History and Development of Children’s Literature 17
1.8 Ambivalence 22
1.9 Manipulation and Censorship 25
2 TRANSLATION OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
2.1 Aims 29
2.2 Cultures and Regional Effects 30
2.2.1 Cultures 30
2.2.2 Regional Effects on Children’s Literature 32
2.3 Translation of Children’s Books 36
2.3.1 Translation for Children vs Adults 36
2.3.2 Theoretical Aspects of Translation 38
2.4 The Four Main Players in Translating for Children 42
2.4.1 The Translator 42
2.4.2 The Author 49
2.4.3 The Publisher 50
2.4.4 The Critic 51

Table of Contents
iv
2.5 Adaptation 52
2.5.1 Cultural Context Adaptation 56
2.5.1.1 Simplification 57
2.5.1.2 Localisation 58
2.5.2 Sentimentalisation, Prettifying and Embellishments 58
2.5.3 Modernisation, Purification and Hidden Abridgement 60
2.5.3.1 Modernisation 60
2.5.3.2 Purification 61
2.5.3.3 Hidden Abridgement (Abridgment) 64
2.5.4 Deletion and Addition 65
2.5.5 Mistranslation 66
2.6 Specific Translation Problems 68
2.6.1 Metalinguistic Procedures 68
2.6.2 Prototype Theory 69
2.6.3 Language 71
2.6.4 Illustrations 73
2.6.5 Names 75
2.6.6 Booktitles 76
2.6.7 Grammar Points 76
2.6.7.1 Historic Present 77
2.6.7.2 Grammatical Gender 78
2.6.7.3 Honorific Language 79
2.7 Translation of Children’s Non-Fiction 80
3 CURRENT SITUATION
3.1 Consumer Side 82
3.2 Supply Side 87
3.2.1 Translators 87
3.2.2 Publishers 88
3.2.2.1 Book Fairs 90
3.2.2.2 Co-Productions (Co-Printing/Co-Editing) 91
3.3 Statistics 94
3.4 Situation in Great Britain 96
3.5 Major and Lesser used Languages 98
3.6 Polysystem Theory 99