How children’s literature is translated: suggestions for stylistic research using parallel corpora

Abstract

This paper aims to offer some points of orientation for anyone interested in carrying out research into TCL (the Translation of Children’s Literature) from a translational corpus stylistic perspective. In order to achieve that, I first offer some general observations about Stylistics and Narrative Analysis. Then, I briefly describe the corpus-based system used to show the potential significance of this proposal for a research area within TCL, which has a chiefly empirical character. Next, I make some suggestions of topics that could be further explored by people interested in this particular area of study. Finally, while emphasizing the ‘unprogrammable’ situated determinacy of all communication (including translation), I offer some observations about how to proceed with a translational corpus stylistic approach and its promise of benefitting future research on TCL.