Cultural Contexts and Linguistic Complexities in the French Translation of Indian Folktales

The translation of Indian folktales into French requires delicate attention, as it involves linguistic and cultural adaptation. This work explores the various complexities, highlighting the persistent challenges encountered, particularly in terminology, the selection of suitable equivalents, and the cultural elements embedded within the folktales of Bihar, a state of Eastern India. The importance of this study lies in its focus on the challenging task of translating folktales rooted in cultural traditions, offering valuable insights into translation as an intercultural practice. This work provides strategies for translators to address cultural and linguistic hurdles. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to the broader understanding of translation as an intercultural activity. The present work contributes to the discussion on navigating cultural and linguistic aspects, thereby assisting translators in effectively managing the complexities. The primary objective is to summarize the stages involved in translating these folktales, identifying and analysing recurring challenges related to terminology, the selection of appropriate equivalents, and intercultural aspects. Descriptive and analytical methods were employed to scrutinize both linguistic and extra-linguistic aspects, revealing significant challenges, especially in the absence of direct equivalents in the target language. The findings emphasize the importance of employing culturally nuanced translation methods to retain the original text’s integrity while making it accessible to the target audience.