An Analysis of Paratexts in the (Re)translations of Oliver Twist into Croatian Cover Image

An Analysis of Paratexts in the (Re)translations of Oliver Twist into Croatian
An Analysis of Paratexts in the (Re)translations of Oliver Twist into Croatian

Author(s): Edin Badić
Subject(s): Recent History (1900 till today), Novel, South Slavic Languages, 19th Century, Translation Studies, British Literature
Published by: Hrvatska udruga istraživača dječje književnosti
Keywords: Oliver Twist; paratext; retranslations; children’s literature; Croatian translation history;

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the present study is to analyse paratextual elements in Croatian (re)translations of Charles Dickens’ classic social novel Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress (1837–1839). We will explore the level of paratextual (in)visibility of translators in the (re)translations of Oliver Twist and observe how their (in)visibility might affect the reading and interpretation of the novel. The fact that Oliver Twist has been on the reading lists for Croatian primary schoolers ever since the early 1950s may account for the intense interest in the novel on the part of Croatian publishers. The first edition of Oliver Twist into Croatian appeared in 1901 and, since then, three (re)translations have been published, as well as a large number of reprints. The findings aim to contribute to a better understanding of Croatian translation history, shedding light on different approaches to translating children’s literature and the effects such translation practices may have had on the expectations of the target readership.

  • Issue Year: 9/2020
  • Issue No: 01
  • Page Range: 37-59
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: English