Domestication and Foreignization in the Tamil Translations of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House

Abstract

The theory and practice of domestication and foreignization in translation have sparked extensive debate among scholars and translators especially in textual studies. This study analyses two Tamil translations by Kulanthai M.Shanmugalingam and P.Wicknesaran respectively of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, exploring how each translation navigates the dichotomy between domestication - bringing the source text closer to the target culture, and foreignization - preserving the foreignness of the source text. By analysing the linguistic, cultural, and stylistic choices in each translation, the present study aims to highlight the strategies of the translators, and the impact on the understanding of the Tamil readers. The translation of Ibsen’s critique of societal norms and gender roles is reviewed considering both the translations. A comparative content analysis of both translations reveals how each approach shapes the portrayal of A Doll’s House and the implications for cross-cultural literature appreciation. Cultural references in both translations reflect clear foreignization strategy whereas idiomatic expressions and emotional tones adapt domestication. Both translations skilfully balance the strategies of domestication and foreignization and stand as testaments to the transformative power of theatre across linguistic and cultural boundaries.