Translation and national identity : the use and reception of Mauritian Creole translations of Shakespeare and MolieÌre
The purpose of this thesis is to find out whether theatre translation into Mauritian Creole can contribute to the formation of a national identity in post-colonial, multi-ethnic and multilingual Mauritius. There are currently fourteen languages spoken, many of which, as carriers of symbolic value, are often used as markers of ethnic identity. Moreover, the fact that they do not all carry the same socio-economic and political status has created a linguistic hierarchy which positions English at the top, closely followed by French, in turn followed by Asian languages and finally by Mauritian Creole, even though the latter is the most widely spoken language on the island. I argue that translation into Mauritian Creole is largely an ideological endeavour, designed to challenge the existing asymmetrical linguistic power relations, and to highlight the languageâs existence as a shared cultural capital and as a potential force for national unity. I show how such an endeavour is closely linked to the political and socio-cultural aspects of the target society. This is done by using complementary theoretical perspectives, such as Itamar Even-Zoharâs polysystem theory (1979, 2000), AndreÌ Lefevereâs systemic concept
November, Kate
translation ; national identity ; post-colonialism ; creole studies ; Mauritius
Translation and national identity : the use and reception of Mauritian Creole translations of Shakespeare and MolieÌre. The purpose of this thesis is to find out whether theatre translation into Mauritian Creole can contribute to the formation of a national identity in post-colonial, multi-ethnic and multilingual Mauritius. There are currently fourteen languages spoken, many of which, as carriers of symbolic value, are often used as markers of ethnic identity. Moreover, the fact that they do not all carry the same socio-economic and political status has created a linguistic hierarchy which positions English at the top, closely followed by French, in turn followed by Asian languages and finally by Mauritian Creole, even though the latter is the most widely spoken language on the island. I argue that translation into Mauritian Creole is largely an ideological endeavour, designed to challenge the existing asymmetrical linguistic power relations, and to highlight the languageâs existence as a shared cultural capital and as a potential force for national unity. I show how such an endeavour is closely linked to the political and socio-cultural aspects of the target society. This is done by using complementary theoretical perspectives, such as Itamar Even-Zoharâs polysystem theory (1979, 2000), AndreÌ Lefevereâs systemic concept
translation national_identity use reception creole translation shakespeare purpose whether theatre translation creole contribute_formation national_identity post_colonial multi_ethnic multilingual mauritius currently fourteen language_speak many carrier symbolic value often used marker ethnic_identity moreover fact carry socio_economic political status create linguistic hierarchy position english top closely follow french turn followed asian language finally creole even_though latter widely speak_language island argue translation creole largely ideological endeavour design challenge_exist asymmetrical linguistic power_relation highlight language existence share cultural_capital potential force national_unity show endeavour closely_link political socio_cultural aspect target society use complementary theoretical_perspective even zohar polysystem_theory systemic concept