Translating The Fault in Our Stars: tone and intertextuality in young adult literature

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to examine the translation problems that present themselves when translating the novel The Fault in Our Stars from English into Dutch. In particular, it looks at the translation of conversational tone and dialect, and the problems that occur when translating culturally specific elements and intertextuality. This thesis offers a contextual analysis of The Fault in Our Stars, an exploration of the history of young adult literature in the United States, and an attempt at defining the domain of young adult literature in order to further the understanding of the novel and the intended audience. This thesis further offers a translation of The Fault in Our Stars based on the theoretical and practical aspects of translating tone, dialect, style, CSEs and intertextuality, and discusses various translation strategies and options based on the information discussed in the contextualization of the novel and the issues inherent to the domain of young adult literature. It further discusses this translation in comparison with the published translation done by Nan Lenders.