Differences in Literary Narratives Between Translation and Transcreation: A Scrutiny of Imayam’s She & I and En Kathe

Muthulakshmi S.¹, Dr. T. Mangayarkarasi²

¹Research Scholar (Full Time), Reg. No. 2421117022002, PG & Research Department of English, Rani Anna Government College for Women, Tirunelveli.

²Associate Professor, PG & Research Department of English, Rani Anna Government College for Women, Tirunelveli.

Abstract

Imayam is a prominent contemporary Tamil writer known for his realistic portrayal of rural life, and marginalized communities. She and I is the English translation of En Kathe. The novel is about Kamla, a widow who moves to a village with her two daughters and meets an unnamed man who is unemployed. He becomes obsessed with her and his one-sided love for her consumes him for a decade. He is the narrator of the novel. Imayam’s writings are deeply rooted in Tamil culture with distinct language, caste dynamics and patriarchal reality. This article attempts to examine how translation and transcreation create different kinds of narratives. Translation focuses on equivalence, and accuracy but, transcreation prioritizes recreating the spirit, emotion, and culture. Through a close analysis of dialogues, cultural references, and the protagonist’s inner struggle, this paper examines how translation, and transcreation can bring the essence of Tamil culture and reality to English audience.

Keywords: Cultural equivalence, Adaptation, Cultural transfer, Gender politics.