Exploring Translation Criticism: A Comparative Analysis of the Translation of the Novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1985) as Dr. Jekyll ve Mr. Hyde (2009) in Turkish

Abstract

Translation is a complex process that is influenced by various factors. It involves the conversion of texts from one language to another, and evaluating the resulting translated texts falls under the domain of “translation criticism.” This field employs different criteria to assess the quality and effectiveness of translations. In this study, I specifically exam- ine the translation of Öznur Ayman’s version of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (2009) and compare it to Robert Louis Stevenson’s original text, “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1885). The latter work has been widely translated into Turkish, resulting in multiple versions and retranslations. In this study, I aim to comprehensively analyze the translat- ed version (target text) with the original (source text) to question the deeds and needs of evaluation criteria. In this vein, I adopt Katherina Reiss’ postulate (2000) as a framework to guide the analysis. I focus on the text type within the literary category and consider various linguistic elements, such as semantics, vocabulary, grammar, and style. Addition- ally, pragmatic aspects are evaluated, including the immediate situation, subject matter, time, place, audience, and speaker characteristics. Besides examining the black box of the translation process, the translators are incorporated into the scheme of translation criticism. Through this case study, the research explores the possibilities and limitations of translation criticism. By doing so, I hope to contribute to the existing literature in translation studies, particularly in the often overlooked area of “translation criticism.”

Keywords

• translation criticism
• objectivity
• subjectivity
• functional translation
• Dr. Jekyll ve Mr. Hyde
• Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• Öznur Ayman

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