Jan Van Coillie

Few stories have been translated so often and into so many languages as the classical
fairy tales. Therefore, they are a true challenge for translation studies. This article wants
to outline a methodology for investigating fairy tales in translation. The method is
essentially a comparative textual analysis, inspired by translation studies, literary theory,
linguistic criticism and discourse analysis. It can be applied to the synchronic research
of fairy tale translations within a restricted period of time as well as to the diachronic
research of translations of one or more fairy tales over a longer period of time. A step-by-
-step model is presented which makes it possible to classify and analyze changes in
translations as well as adaptations. In order to bridge the gap between content and
linguistic levels, a linguistic analysis is linked to focal points, grouped under categories
from literary studies. The examples are taken from six recent Dutch translations of
Sleeping Beauty, published between 1995 and 2007. In the fi nal part of this study,
a scheme is offered for the interpretation of the changes the analysis brought to light.
It takes into account individual as well as social factors and it is based on the concepts
of norms, systems and functions. By presenting a structured method of analysis, this
article hopes to reinvigorate the study of fairy tales in translation.

Few stories have been translated so often and into so many languages as the classical fairy tales. As such, they are a true challenge for translation studies. This article proposes a methodology for investigating fairy tales in translation. The suggested method is essentially a comparative textual analysis, inspired by translation studies, literary theory, linguistic criticism and discourse analysis. It can be applied to the synchronic research of fairy tale translations within a restricted period as well as to the diachronic research of translations of one or more fairy tales over a longer period of time. A step-by-step model is presented, which makes it possible to classify and analyse changes in translations as well as adaptations. In order to bridge the gap between content and linguistic levels, a linguistic analysis is linked to focal points, grouped under categories from literary studies. The examples come from six recent Dutch translations of Sleeping Beauty, published between 1995 and 2007. In the final part of this study, a scheme is offered for the interpretation of the changes brought to light by the analysis. It takes into account individual as well as social factors and it is based on the concepts of norms, systems and functions. Such a structured method of analysis is hoped to offer new possibilities for the study of fairy tales in translation.