Cooking and the Art of Translating Recipes

Abstract

The hypothetical translator of cookery texts faces certain translation problems. They have to do with a specific translation task or subject. The translator can professionalize through training, and studying translation problems. So the supposed translator can become a better translator of cookery texts, or maybe even a professional, by studying the subject matter – cookery texts – and the problems with transfer – the translation problems which can arise during the translation of cookery texts. This thesis explores the translation of cookery texts and attempt to answer the question: What translation problems come into play when translating a cookery text? To this end, I have explored this specific text type as well as relevant translation problems concerning the transfer of cookery books from English to Dutch. This results in an analysis and translation of excerpts from three cookbooks and a website.