FOREIGNIZATION AND DOMESTICATION IN THE TRANSLATION OF HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
Keywords:
Keywords: foreignization, domestication, historical documents, translation strategies, cultural transfer, historical authenticity, intercultural communication, translation studiesAbstract
Abstract. The translation of historical documents requires a careful balance between preserving the cultural and linguistic identity of the source text and ensuring accessibility for modern readers. This article examines the application of foreignization and domestication as two major translation strategies in rendering historical documents. Foreignization retains culture-specific terms, historical references, and linguistic features to preserve the authenticity of the original text, whereas domestication adapts these elements to the target culture for greater readability and comprehension. Through the analysis of selected historical texts and their English translations, the study explores the advantages and limitations of both approaches. The findings demonstrate that neither strategy is universally effective; rather, translators should adopt a context-sensitive approach that considers the document's historical significance, target audience, and communicative purpose. The research concludes that an appropriate combination of foreignization and domestication enables translators to maintain historical authenticity while facilitating intercultural understanding. This balanced strategy contributes to the accurate transmission of historical knowledge and cultural heritage across languages.
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