Die sigbaarheid van vertaaldheid in resensies van vertaalde Engelse en Afrikaanse romans

Abstract

The tendency to review translated texts as “original” works has been studied by various scholars in literary criticism (see for example Lamber 2010, Maier 2008, Paloposki 2012, and Schulte 2015). This means that reviews very seldom mention that the reviewed work is in fact a translation. This tendency to treat translated texts as “originals” in literary criticism is problematic. It can cause translators as well as translation to be marginalised, with negative consequences for the translation industry as well as the canonisation of translated novels (Leech 2005: 12). Furthermore, translations and translators are subjected to virtually impossible standards when reviewers are not familiar with translation and consequently reinforce the non-recognition of translated works. The research referred to above was conducted in Europe, and there is a need for similar research in the South African context. This study focuses on reviews of translated novels published in South Africa between 2006 and 2015. The analysis examines the degree to which the translator and translational acts are visible in reviews, and therefore whether translated texts are also reviewed as originals in the Afrikaans and South African English literary system.

Keywords

• vertaling
• onsigbaarheid
• resensering
• afrikaanse literêre sisteem
• suid-afrikaanse engelse literêre sisteem