Translation and adaptation in extracts from Il Haya u il Vinturi ta’ Robinson Krusoe by Daniel Defoe translated by Richard Taylor

Abstract

Translation was an important tool in the development of the Maltese language and the country’s identity. This dissertation seeks to distinguish the qualities of translation, adaptation and appropriation, and to use these classifications to examine one of the earliest examples of narrative translation into Maltese, Il Haỹa u il Vinturi ta’ Robinson Krusoe, in an attempt to find its place in the literal-liberal translation spectrum. Along with this, the research also seeks to identify the methods in translating linguistic, pragmatic, social and cultural elements of the source text in order to understand its standing within the Maltese context. This work hopes to facilitate the deeper understanding of the importance of translation in early Maltese literature and to the development of the Maltese language.