Translation of prose fiction texts: An exploratory study

Prose fiction can be defined as a form of writing which uses the natural flow of speech and follows the standards and conventions of academic writing and create a sense of appreciation through language style. Having this in mind, the author believes that inclusion of words which have equivalences in the target language when unneeded for translation makes a negative impact on both language style of the translated version and acquisition of the target language. Inspired by this conviction, this study addressed two questions. First, “Does inclusion of words that exist in the original language of a prose fiction text when unneeded for translation negatively impact language style of the translated version?” Second, “Does inclusion of words that exist in the original language of a prose fiction text when unneeded for translation negatively impacts acquisition of the target language?” For data collection methods, the author designed a questionnaire involving all three categories of respondents in this study: EFL university students, EFL instructors, and avid readers. Furthermore, the author conducted a semi-structured interview involving instructors and avid readers. The findings reveal that most of the subjects asserted that including words which have equivalent expressions in the target language when unneeded for translation would negatively impact language style of the translated version and acquisition of the target language. In light of this study’s findings, translators of prose fiction texts are advised to avoid including any words which have equivalents in the target language when unneeded as this may negatively impact language style and language acquisition.