Translators’ manipulation of texts: the case of children’s books on gender equality
Journal
Perspectives: Studies in Translation Theory and Practice
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
This research applied the analytical method proposed by Kaniklidou and House to examine power manipulation in existing translations of children’s books that include gender equality issues in Taiwan. Fifty-one translations of gender-related picture books were analysed, and 411 instances of power manipulation phenomena were annotated. The study identified content explicitation and simplification as the most frequently used translation strategies, followed by cultural filtering, manipulation of ideology, sentimentalisation, infantilisation, and genre specificity. These categories overlapped and were closely related; instances of explicitation, cultural filtering, and ideological manipulation could occur in the same passage. The results of this study contribute to providing an objective basis for the development of gender equality education, and also serve as a reference for the translation industry, the government, and academia in enhancing or adjusting translation strategies, editing high-quality children’s books, strengthening the foundation of children’s language development, and promoting innovation and multi-faceted discussion. ? 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Subjects
Gender issues
gender stereotypes
ideology
linguistic features
text analysis
Type
journal article