STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH ‘CODE SWITCHING’ IN LITERARY TRANSLATION BASED ON JERRY PINTO’S MURDER IN MAHIM

Abstract

Code switching is a challenging problem in literary translation due to the multiplicity of codes employed in the source text. One of the challenges here is that the target audience may not know the second code used during code switching. To retain the code switching – as a stylistic element – one may need to employ multiple target languages. Furthermore, the translator faces the dilemma of either doing away with the code switching or employing a new instance of code switching, probably at the cost of adding new meanings or dimensions and connotations to the text. This paper looks at strategies to tackle code switching within a novel using the example of Jerry Pinto’s Murder in Mahim (2017). Although this novel has been written in Indian English, it has several passages where one finds use of Hindi, Marathi or Bambaiyya. These include code switched words or phrases within a sentence and complete sentences offering a wide spectrum. This paper looks at the solutions provided in the Marathi translation (2019) by Pranav Sakhadeo. A new set of challenges would arise while translating the novel from Indian English to German as the (German speaking) target readers may not be aware of the phrases used in Hindi, Marathi, and Bambaiyya. Strategies are briefly discussed to translate selected passages into German retaining the code switching followed by further generalisation of the results towards a theoretical perspective.