The Dutch Indian or How to Bring Sherman Alexie’s Style to The Netherlands

Abstract

What translation problems does the translator face when translating Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, what are the available translation strategies and options and which strategies and options are most desirable taking into account the chosen translation purpose?

This study answers the above question concerning the translation of cultural specific elements, style, dialogue, wordplay, idioms and expressions, names and illustrations. It includes an analysis of the novel, a translation of the first three chapters into Dutch and a comparison to the published translation by Aleid van Eekelen-Benders.