Translating Martin Luther King: A Thesis on the Translation of Rhetorical Texts

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Master Thesis

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Abstract

This thesis includes Dutch translations of two of King's political speeches, "Address at the Freedom Rally in Cobo Hall" and "I Have a Dream". Translation problems and their solutions are analysed from a theoretical perspective, as well as on the basis of personal reflection. In addition, the translation of "I Have a Dream" is compared with to earlier translations made by Jacques Meerman and Rudi de Graaf. Throughout the thesis, special attention is given to the rhetorical strategies that King uses in his speeches - specifically intertextual references, repetition, metaphorical language, oppositions, humour and rhythm - and the translation problems that these source text elements cause for a translation into Dutch as well as the possible and desirable solutions to these problems.

Keywords

translation, translator, translation thesis, Martin Luther King, translation problems, rhetorical texts, rhetoric, persuasive texts, persuasive, political speeches, translating political speeches, speeches, intertextual references, repetition, metaphorical language, oppositions, humour, rhythm, Jacques Meerman, Rudi de Graaf, Manon Berlang, translation comparisson

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