Domestication and Foreignization of Children Literature

Abstract

Abstract: The increasing demand for high-quality children's literature in Saudi Arabia has placed significant emphasis on the translation of literary works that promote positive values and cultivate a love for reading among Arabic-speaking children. Translating children’s literature is a complex task that requires careful consideration of cultural, religious, and pedagogical factors to ensure the translation is both meaningful and culturally appropriate. This study focuses on The Reluctant Dragon as a case study to examine how translation strategies like foreignization and domestication are used to address cultural and religious conflicts in children’s literature for a Saudi audience. By analysing the translation strategies used to handle culture-specific items, this project highlights the significance of two main approaches introduced by Venuti (1995) and Munday (2012): foreignization, which preserves the cultural authenticity of the source text (ST), and domestication, which adapts the text to align with the cultural and religious norms of the target audience. While foreignization offers Saudi children exposure to global perspectives, domestication ensures that the translation remains consistent with Islamic teachings and cultural sensitivities. The findings reveal that both strategies are essential for producing a translation that resonates with the target audience while preserving the original text’s meaning. This paper concludes by emphasizing the delicate balance required between foreignization and domestication and suggests further research into how increasing exposure to global cultures may influence future translations of children's literature in Saudi Arabia.