Collins, Georgina (2010) Translating Francophone Senegalese women’s literature : issues of change, power, mediation and orality. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The main aim of this thesis is to demonstrate how interdisciplinary research
into the cultural background of Senegalese women writers can impact upon the
strategies of the translator of their works into English. It also proposes to illustrate
how Translation Studies theories can be applied to the practice of translation, by
analysing previously translated works as well as examples from texts that have not
been translated before. In this way, the thesis tests the hypothesis that a broad
knowledge of Senegalese history, languages and modern day realities is essential in the
translation of Francophone Senegalese women’s literature.
Literature and culture are analysed under four key themes – Change, Power,
Mediation and Orature, drawing upon issues of language and gender where
appropriate, and using extracts from texts and translations to support arguments.
Theoretical material is analysed from a number of different disciplines, some of which
was collated whilst studying at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar. Interviews
with writers and academics supplied rare insight into Senegalese literature and society,
and time spent living with Senegalese families provided first-hand experience of local
cultures, as well as an opportunity to learn Wolof for the purpose of textual analysis.
This thesis contributes knowledge to a number of different fields of study due
to its multidisciplinary approach. It also redresses the gender and geographical bias of
much previous research into postcolonial African translation, as well as expanding
critical work on Senegalese writers. By analysing a range of text types, this thesis
progresses many previous studies of Senegalese women’s literature that only focus on
novels, and it uniquely analyses the influence of the native language upon Francophone
African translation. This thesis supports the hypothesis that cultural research can
amend the way a translator works, but progresses beyond previous strategies for
cultural translation by promoting complete submersion in source text languages and
cultures. And through analytical debate it demonstrates how previously translated texts
may be rewritten differently today due to changing theories of translation.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PQ Romance literatures
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Senegalese literature (French) -- Translations into English, Wolof literature -- Translations into English, Authors, Senegalese -- Social life and customs, Women -- Senegal -- Social life and customs
Official Date:	June 2010
Dates:	Date Event June 2010 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of French Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Collie, Joanne
Extent:	566 leaves
Language:	eng

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