Ibrahim, Hasnah binti Haji (1992) Oh Babel! : the problems of translating Malay verse into English. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The study, as explained in the Prologue, was begun with the aim of compiling and analysing the problems of translating Malay verse into English. However, because the tradition is little known outside its birthplace. Chapters I and II trace the birth and perpetuation of the Malayo-English tradition of verse translation, giving examples of the translations carried out. and drawing attention to the problems encountered. These chapters also seek to identify the reasons for translating.

The anomalous practice of translating into a language which is not the translator's native language-- which is rampant in the tradition studied-as well as the variety of modes encountered, necessitate a search for a theoretical framework which would accomodate such facts of the tradition. Chapter III elaborates on the theoretical considerations made out and the methodology adopted.
The theoretical considerations show that such a framework could be provided by a working definition, if it is rigorous enough to differentiate translation from its kindred activities, such as parody, yet flexible enough to accomodate the various acceptable modes of translation. A pro-tern working definition of the translation process is proposed in Chapter IV.

The practical implications of this definition are discussed in Chapters V and VI. Chapter V discusses the effects of the independent variables on the actual translating process; i.e., how each of the independent variables identified in the definition of the process could give rise to a spectrum of translation pathways, and thereby to a variety of translation products. It is realised at this juncture that to enable a descriptive analysis of the translation process/products, these modes have not only to be identified but also to be systematically named. Chapter VI describes the translation spectrum and proposes a system of labelling the components of the translation spectrum.
Chapter VII attempts an objective reviewal of the study, assessing its contribution to knowledge, whilst making clear its limitations and its dependence on earlier works. The study closes with an Epilogue.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics P Language and Literature > PL Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Malay poetry -- Malaysia, Malay poetry -- Translations into English, Translating and interpreting
Official Date:	February 1992
Dates:	Date Event February 1992 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Bassnett, Susan ; Kuhiwczak, Piotr
Sponsors:	Malaysia
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	xii, 335 leaves
Language:	eng

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