Foreignization and domestication strategies in translating occasionalisms from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter

Abstract

This article explores the challenges translators face when dealing with occasionalisms—unique, author-created words—in literary translation. The main objective of the research is to analyze the strategies used for translating occasionalisms from English into Russian and Kazakh, using J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as a case study. The study focuses on two prominent translation strategies: domestication and foreignization, and aims to determine which approach is more frequently applied. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to both theoretical understanding and practical application in the field of translation studies. The methodology involves a comparative linguistic analysis of selected examples of occasionalisms and their translated counterparts. The analysis revealed that translators often prefer the strategy of foreignization to preserve the linguistic and cultural specificity of the source text. This choice helps retain the original author’s voice and creative intent. The study contributes to the broader field by shedding light on the complexity of translating occasionalisms and offers insight into effective translation strategies. The practical value of the research lies in its potential application in translation practice, especially in the context of literary works where maintaining the integrity of the original text is crucial.