Translating Martin Luther King: A Thesis on the Translation of Rhetorical Texts

Abstract

This thesis includes Dutch translations of two of King's political speeches, "Address at the Freedom Rally in Cobo Hall" and "I Have a Dream". Translation problems and their solutions are analysed from a theoretical perspective, as well as on the basis of personal reflection. In addition, the translation of "I Have a Dream" is compared with to earlier translations made by Jacques Meerman and Rudi de Graaf. Throughout the thesis, special attention is given to the rhetorical strategies that King uses in his speeches - specifically intertextual references, repetition, metaphorical language, oppositions, humour and rhythm - and the translation problems that these source text elements cause for a translation into Dutch as well as the possible and desirable solutions to these problems.