Skopos and Strategies for the Retranslation of Kampung Boy into Japanese

Abstract

This paper discusses the implications of the retranslation of the graphic novel 'Kampung Boy' into Japanese. The objective of this study is to identify the characteristics of the translated texts and to determine their position in Japan's translation industry. For this study, the researcher made a comparison between the first and the latest editions. The source text was also referenced when parts of the translated texts differ from one another. The findings revealed that the differences between the translated texts stem from the variations in the source language and Skopos. The first edition, translated from English, tends to be more explicit due to the influence of a low-context culture. Conversely, the latest edition, translated from Malay, adopts a more implicit approach, which is reflective of a high-context culture. Regarding Skopos differences, the first edition emphasises on nostalgia, whilst the latest edition adds academic value. Therefore, the first edition uses simple language and takes a domestication strategy, while the latest edition uses moderate language with greater focus on foreignization. In other words, the first edition prioritises smooth language flow by omitting, simplifying, or replacing elements of traditional Malay culture. On the other hand, the latest edition retains the original context by filling lexical gaps and including explanations.

Keywords: Translation strategy, retranslation, Kampung Boy, Japanese language edition, source language, Skopos

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