Translation as a Tool for Reconciliation? Translation of Canadian Indigenous Literatures into
French in the era of Decolonization Cover Image

Przekład jako narzędzie pojednania? O tłumaczeniu kanadyjskich literatur rdzennych na język francuski w dobie dekolonizacji
Translation as a Tool for Reconciliation? Translation of Canadian Indigenous Literatures into French in the era of Decolonization

Author(s): Małgorzata Czubińska
Subject(s): Other Language Literature, Translation Studies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: translation of indigenous literatures; postcolonial translation; Canadian literature; indigenous languages;

Summary/Abstract: The common assumption is that translation helps to share ideas and build bridges between societies, cultures and languages. Nevertheless, in Canadian history translation has been a tool of colonial domination and oppression of indigenous communities as well as francophone minorities scattered across Canada after 1763. In view of the above, this paper aims to show from a translational point of view the attempts to redress decades of persecution and assimilation that are currently taking place, particularly in light of the findings and recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released in June 2015. The analysis covers a unique context, involving the translation of works of Indigenous Literature into a minority language such as French in Canada. After presenting current trends in this area, the paper will discuss an autobiographical novel Halfbreed by Metis author Maria Campbell, which appeared in French translation in 2021 almost half a century after the original was published.

  • Issue Year: 2023
  • Issue No: 46
  • Page Range: 50-67
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish