Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Department of Literature and Foreign Languages- Payame Noor University- Tehran- Iran
Abstract
This research investigates how the concepts of “authority” and “child agency” are conveyed in two Persian translations of the classic novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Employing a mixed-methods approach—including corpus analysis, a survey of 150 Iranian children, and 60-person focus groups—this study demonstrates the role of lexical choices and paratextual elements (such as prefaces and cover designs) in shaping children’s perception of Alice’s character. The translation by Mahnaz Fasihhi, adopting a “defamiliarization” approach, preserves Alice’s defiance and inquisitiveness, presenting her as a powerful and agentic figure. Conversely, the translation by Ali Habibian, by adopting a “domestication” strategy and employing the Persian etiquette of ta’arof (polite deference), moderates Alice’s overt resistance and emphasizes the authority of the adult characters. Survey results indicated that children, particularly those residing in cities or more familiar with Western media, preferred the Fasihhi version, viewing Alice as more confident and inquisitive. Focus group data further revealed that children play an active role in interpreting meaning, and their perceptions are influenced by their socio-cultural contexts. This research emphasizes that the translation of children’s literature is a significant arena for cultural exchange and the construction of meaning around authority and agency, where the combination of linguistic strategies and paratextual elements plays a crucial role. Such research opens new horizons for understanding translation as a cultural and dialogic process.
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