Translating Rwandan folktales into English: a culture-based analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this research report is to examine Rwandan folktales from a cultural point of view and discuss how they could be translated into English by taking into account cultural aspects that are typical of Rwandan culture. It also aims at discussing some strategies which translators can use in order to solve culture-related problems while translating Rwandan folktales into the English language for an international audience in general and for children in particular. To lay a theoretical foundation to this study, an overview of folklore, culture and the relationship between language, culture and translation is given. Theories underlying cultural translation and underlying children’s literature and its translation are also discussed. Although the study aims at analysing Rwandan folktales in general, it focuses on four folktales. These are analysed and culture-bound problems that a translator may encounter when translating them are brought to the fore. In addition, one of them is translated as an illustration and a discussion of strategies used to address culture-bound problems is provided.