A Comparison of Turkish Translations of the Story Master Cornille’s Secret from Letters from My Windmill

Abstract

This study comparatively examines three different Turkish translations of The Secret of Master Cornille, a story from Letters from My Windmill (1869) by the French author Alphonse Daudet. The translations are evaluated from the perspective of various translation strategies, which are discussed within the framework of classification approaches frequently referenced in translation studies, notably those attributed to Mine Yazıcı. Furthermore, the chosen translation strategies are analyzed in the context of Gideon Toury’s target-oriented translation theory, which categorizes translations that remain faithful to the source text and language as “adequate,” while adaptations made to conform to the target text and language are considered “acceptable.” The study undertakes a systematic comparison between the source text and the translated texts, revealing significant differences in the translators’ strategic preferences. The first translation predominantly employs a word-for-word strategy, thereby preserving the meaning, form, and cultural elements to a great extent. In contrast, the other translations prioritize adaptation to the target culture and language by employing various strategies such as localization, omission, addition, and simplification. The findings demonstrate that translation strategies have a direct impact on both the formal structure of the text and its functionality for the target audience. In this regard, the study aims to contribute significantly to both theoretical and applied research concerning strategic decision-making processes in translation.