Translating Oriana Fallaci

Abstract

The main aim of this thesis is the translation of a part of Oriana Fallaci's novel Lettera a un bambino mai nato from Italian into Maltese, with a discussion on the feasible translation strategies that could be applied in order to reach this goal. Apart from the translation of a part of Lettera a un bambino mai nato, this dissertation also focuses on a detailed analysis of the translation process and a discussion on the strategies adopted to overcome the various difficulties. Moreover, the analysis lists all the possible translation variations in the target text and gives a thorough explanation of the decisions taken. The rule of thumb of this dissertation has been the correct transfer of meaning from the source text to the target text, as well as the adaptation of culture-specific items and idiomatic expressions to the receiving language and culture. The ultimate result of this dissertation is to show that the elegance, rhythm and power of Fallaci's words may be satisfactorily delivered to the target audience notwithstanding the complicated task of conveying cultural elements through a literary translation and the possibility of cultural discrepancy. This dissertation will be a clear demonstration that languages are bound to their cultural context and that the diversities which arise may require different approaches in order to be resolved.