Story-telling perspectives in translating Aesop’s fables

Abstract Aesop’s fables have been multiply adapted and translated over the years to meet the needs of intended audiences. The study selects two Modern Greek ( 1993 , 2011 ) and two English ( 1991 , 2013 ) versions of Aesop’s fable The Woodcutter and Mercury to trace intra- and cross-cultural pragmatic variation in story-telling perspectives. Analysis of the four versions suggests that the Modern Greek versions of the fable seem to be more aware of the power differentials between Mercury and the Woodcutter, whereas the English versions rather focus on the woodcutter, somewhat blurring the figure of the god. A questionnaire addressing 15 respondents confirmed (a) power distance variation cross-culturally (with visuals in two of the versions conforming to intended power distance dynamics), and (b) variation in addressee age group identity. The significance of the research lies in that pragmatic aspects of meaning-making become cross-culturally visible in versions of the fable and draw attention to the potential of translation to advance understanding of what is adjusted in cross-cultural transfer.