There Is Always a Choice On the Translation of Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal and the Choices Therein

Abstract

The paper focuses on the analysis of the translation problems occurring in Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal, in an English – Dutch translation. It outlines some of the translation problems inherent to fantasy literature. Over the course of several chapters, the author details the problems concerning proper names, setting and the style of the writer. These problems are analysed with the use of literature by Christiane Nord and Andrew Chesterman, and solutions are offered, with a comparison to the existing translation by Venogopalan Ittekot, Posterijen. Finally the author made an annotated translation of the beginning of the novel, presenting the reasoning behind some of the choices made.