Translation and Postcolonial English

This volume focuses on the interlinguistic translation of very specific types of text. In fact, not only does this volume concentrate on literary translation, but after some introductory chapters (in which some of the problems posed by the translation of literary texts are analysed), it focuses on the translation of the texts stemming from the formerly colonised world. The choice has fallen on this particular area because I believe this literature represents the ideal opportunity to become aware of the fact that no ‘ideal’ guidelines can be given to translators, and that each translation has to be evaluated individually. As we shall see below, in fact, quite often postcolonial translation contravenes the general indications future translators are accustomed to receive, in that some of the strategies which could certainly reveal themselves useful in the translation of other types of texts, might have repercussions on the political and ideological impact of the works themselves, an aspect which becomes fundamental within the realm of the postcolonial world. Because of the breadth of the subject at hand, this volume cannot be exhaustive and should be considered a general introduction to the discipline of ‘postcolonial translation’, postponing the discussion of certain issues to other occasions. In spite of this, *Translation and Postcolonial English* helps readers approach some of the theoretical issues connected to the translation of literary texts stemming from the former colonies, and through the selection of texts gathered in the Appendix, gives them the opportunity to read extracts from some of the founding works in the field and reflect on the issues raised by their published translation.