Abstract

This study takes as its point of departure the extent to which it is necessary to translate linguistic and cultural elements into target terms, as opposed to how much the translator might choose to retain in the source language. The specific parameters of the study are twofold: the translation of a Québécois text for a British readership; and translating Québécois into English in 2017, compared to the same task in previous decades.
Significant shifts in Quebec’s sociocultural, linguistic, and literary spheres over the past few decades have resulted in a greater degree of openness and crossover between Quebec and both neighbouring and international cultures. Through analysis of literary and linguistic aspects, we can see that translation plays a crucial role.
With this in mind, specific translational challenges which arose in the translation of Sans coeur et sans reproche are analysed in response to the question of “how much (not) to translate?” Particularly when viewed from a postcolonial perspective, it becomes clear that many (sometimes conflicting) factors, including idiosyncrasy and identity of the original, sociocultural significance, underlying nuance, comprehension, and literary voice, must be taken into consideration. Consequently, no single strategy can be applied to all contexts, and translational challenges must instead be approached on a case-by-case basis.