Exportando literatura brasileira: Quarto de Despejo e Casa de Alvenaria em língua inglesa

Abstract

The aim of this work is to analyze the translation choices present in the English version of the works Quarto de Despejo: diário de uma favelada and Casa de Alvenaria: diário de uma ex-favelada, by Carolina Maria de Jesus. As theoretical basis we will use the Theory of Polysystems, proposed by Itamar Even-Zohar (2013[1979]); we will approach the notions of literary translation and oblique translation proposed by Vinay and Darbelnet (1977), pioneers in the categorization of translation procedures; in addition to the theories of Schleiermacher (2007[1813]) and Venuti (2005[1998]) to discuss the translational postures of domestication and foreignization. We will also discuss the concept of Cultural Markers, which are present and relevant in Carolina de Jesus' books, through the authors Aubert (2006), Hoebel & Frost (2006) and Bosi (1992). Another relevant aspect for the discussion of translation processes is the presence of linguistic marks in the works, with regional and colloquial traits. The use of colloquialisms and expressions from the periphery of São Paulo mark the author's style, which caused controversy in the Brazilian literary universe in view of the book's success in the commercial and critical spheres. Therefore, it is proposed to contrast the translation choices of both books in English in relation to titles, orality and orthography, linguistic issues, pronouns, proper names, toponymies, drinks and foods, correspondences, public figures, footnotes, lexical choices, black culture, errors, additions, and omissions. In order to fulfill the proposed objectives, this work is based on qualitative methodology, applying content analysis (CARLOMAGNO, M.; ROCHA, L. C., 2016). We observed that the translators have very different profiles and translation projects, despite sometimes presenting similar choices. Their decisionmaking impacts the way in which relevant aspects of Brazilian culture are represented to the reading public in English, leading to the loss of relevant characteristics and contributing to the creation of a stereotyped view of the aforementioned society.