Strategic Approaches to Rendering Intertextual Units in Translation

Abstract

The role of intertextuality in literature has long been recognized as a key factor in shaping meaning and cultural depth, demanding equal attention in translation studies. Translating intertextual units—such as quotations, idioms, and culturally embedded allusions—poses a challenge due to their connotative richness and cultural specificity. Although numerous scholars have proposed strategies for translating intertextual elements, there remains a need for a cohesive framework that considers cultural competence and creative interpretation as central tools in this process. This study aims to analyze the typology of intertextual units and evaluate strategic approaches to their translation in literary texts, focusing on how translators navigate cultural and semantic constraints. The research identifies three main stylistic approaches—imitative, adaptational, and translator-author intertextuality—and outlines four key strategies: literal translation, adaptation, annotated translation, and elimination. These methods are examined through theoretical analysis and practical examples, illustrating their application and implications. The study contributes to literary translation theory by framing intertextual translation as a creative and interpretive act, where the translator assumes the role of cultural mediator and co-author rather than a passive conduit. The findings underscore that effective translation of intertextual units relies on the translator’s interpretive insight, cultural awareness, and the ability to tailor strategies to the audience’s cognitive and cultural framework, thereby enhancing the academic understanding of intertextual transfer in translation studies.