Publications
Publication details [#10502]
Sumner-Paulin, Catherine. 1995. Traduction et culture: Quelques proverbes Africains traduits. Zeitschrift für Slawistik 40 (4) : 548–555. 8 pp.
Publication type
Article in journal
Publication language
English
Keywords
Abstract
The author discusses the problems faced by translators working with languages of remote cultures. She looks at English and French translations of traditional African proverbs and points out the linguistic and sociolinguistic problems. Many proverbs are based on metonymy (e.g. body parts standing for people) and on metaphor. Animal metaphors form a typical example. The author recommends a rather literal translation approach so as to respect the identity of culturally remote communities.
(Adapted from Catherine Sumner-Paulin)