This book offers a historical analysis of key classical translated works for children, such as writings by Hans Christian Andersen and Grimms' tales. Translations dominate the earliest history of texts written for children in English, and stories translated from other languages have continued to shape its course to the present day. Lathey traces the role of the translator and the impact of translations on the history of English-language children's literature from the ninth century onwards. Discussions of popular texts in each era reveal fluctuations in the reception of translated children's texts, as well as instances of cultural mediation by translators and editors. Abridgement, adaptation, and alteration by translators have often been viewed in a negative light, yet a closer examination of historical translators' prefaces reveals a far more varied picture than that of faceless conduits or wilful censors. From William Caxton's dedication of his translated History of Jason to young Prince Edward in 1477 ('to thentent/he may begynne to lerne read Englissh'), to Edgar Taylor's justification of the first translation into English of Grimms' tales as a means of promoting children's imaginations in an age of reason, translators have recorded in prefaces and other writings their didactic, religious, aesthetic, financial, and even political purposes for translating children's texts.

About the Author

Gillian Lathey is Director of the National Centre for Research in Children's Literature at Roehampton University London.

Reviews

"This is the first volume to attempt such a historical study of translation. The variety of works examined and Lathey's readable style make the book an excellent introduction to the often-overlooked role of translators and a solid foundational work for future scholarship in this area. Highly recommended." -- P. J. Kurtz, Minot State University, Choice, January 2011

'...this book makes a welcome contribution to the field... The book is a thought-provoking and well-written addition to the body of research into children's literature translation and will find an audience not only among scholars of children's literature and translation studies, but also with the more general readership interested in the history and development of children's books.' - Gaby Thomson-Wohlgemuth

'This is indeed a most impressive "source book" which will prove invaluable to researchers and critics. Beautifully written and impeccably researched, it unearths a wealth of historical detail and identifies many relevant questions.' - Emer O'Sullivan, Target

"This is the first volume to attempt such a historical study of translation. The variety of works examined and Lathey's readable style make the book an excellent introduction to the often-overlooked role of translators and a solid foundational work for future scholarship in this area. Highly recommended." -- P. J. Kurtz, Minot State University, Choice, January 2011

"A welcome contribution to the field."
- Gaby Thomson-Wohlgemuth, Journal of the British Section of the International Board of Books for Young People"Lathey's book is an important first step and it fills a gap in the field of translation studies. One can only hope that soon there will be such books for other languages/cultures as well, and that other researchers will continue the task Lathey has begun."
- B.J. Epstein, University of East Anglia, UK

Book Information
ISBN 9780415636438
Author Gillian Lathey
Format Paperback
Page Count 258
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 480g