The childish adult and popular culture: some thoughts to the anthropology of translation as taken from a translated poem of j. R. R. Tolkien

Abstract

The article examines the theory and practice of modern literary translation in Russia based on the examples of published works of translated children’s literature in foreign languages. From the point of view of the anthropology of translation, various extralinguistic factors affecting translation and publishing intentions are analyzed. An attempt is made to demonstrate how readers’ expectations define the particular age field of specific literary works, regardless of the author’s initial addressees. As an example of translation practice, clearly reflecting the peculiarities of intercultural communication, the translation of an early poem by J. R.R. Tolkien is analyzed.

Keywords: Folklore, children’s literature, Tolkien, translation, popular culture, children’s poetry, translation studies, communication