A Case-study of The Chosen by Chaim Potok The Translation and Retranslations

Abstract

Subject of research in this thesis is The Chosen (1966) written by the Jewish author Chaim Potok. The aim of this research is to investigate several retranslations of The Chosen. Translating a text requires careful preparation whereby various factors must be taken into account. The translator must know the presupposed readers of the target text, for example, and the function of the text in the target community. Various models have been developed to train translation students and to aid experienced translators in how to approach the source text and which strategies to use during translation. In this way, the translator becomes aware of the choices he makes and he can account for them accordingly. The research question raised in this thesis is:

Which translation strategies are used in the first translation and retranslations of the book The Chosen by Chaim Potok, and what are the benefits and pitfalls of retranslation?