Challenges and strategies in the translation of African feminist literature An Analysis of the Transadaptation of So Long a Letter

Abstract

This article examines the English translation of Une Si Longue Lettre by Mariama Bâ, translated by Modupé Bodé-Thomas, through the lens of tradaptation theory. The objective is to analyze how the strategies of substitution, addition, and omission used by the translator impact the transmission of cultural and feminist themes. The study employs a comparative approach between the original text and its translation, identifying and annotating translation choices related to Senegalese cultural references and ideological messages. The results reveal that substitutions make the text more accessible to an Anglophone audience but reduce its cultural richness. Additions provide additional cultural explanations but risk altering Bâ’s feminist message by introducing external perspectives. Finally, omissions simplify the reading experience but eliminate some essential cultural nuances. The discussion highlights the limitations of tradaptation in preserving the cultural and ideological complexity of African feminist texts, emphasizing the challenges of balancing fidelity to the original text with adaptation for the target audience. The article suggests further research on feminist approaches in tradaptation to better preserve female voices in an intercultural context.