Translation and Meaning
New Series, Vol. 1
Series:
Edited By Barbara Lewandowska-Tomaszczyk, Marcel Thelen, Gys-Walt van Egdom, Dirk Verbeeck and Łukasz Bogucki
Functionalism in Literary Translation. The Use of a Functionalist Approach in Translating Contemporary Swiss-German Poetry
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Lucia Salvato
Functionalism in Literary Translation.The Use of a Functionalist Approach in Translating Contemporary Swiss-German Poetry
Abstract: The paper explores the potential of a functionalist approach in interlingual translations of literary texts. The theoretical perspective is provided by Christiane Nord’s introduction to the theory and methodology of translation-oriented ST analysis. The viewpoint refers to the concept of translation as an action, that is, as an intercultural communicative act with the ST functioning as an offer of information, and with which the translator must always reckon. The paper describes the main steps of the translation process as formulated in Nord’s model, by illustrating the linguistic choices of the Italian translation of poems by Swiss-German writer Werner Lutz. Lutz’s poetic language is examined through the presentation of the main translation problems as outlined by Nord. Focus is on the intra-textual factors of the ST, specifically on lexis (word creations) and (cultural) presuppositions, which thoroughly engage and challenge the Italian translator.
Keywords: German-Italian Translation; Swiss-German Poetry; Werner Lutz; Functionalist Approach; Christiane Nord; translation process; translation problems; word creations; word compounds; presuppositions.
1. Introduction
The paper focuses on a translating project concerning poems written by Swiss-German writer Werner Lutz (1930 –) and translated into Italian by the Author1. The translating project is highlighted using a functionalist approach that is considered useful for all types of interlingual translation and text typologies. The theoretical perspective is provided by Christiane Nord’s introduction to the...
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