Page 91 - RASAS 2025

10 Ruhuna Arts Student’s Annual Sessions (RASAS) -2025
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Overcoming Cultural Untranslatability in Sri Lankan Literature: A Case Study
of Gamperaliya and Its English Translation

N. Dissanayaka
Department of English and Linguistics, University of Ruhuna
nilharadissanyaka@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This research explores the challenge of cultural untranslatability in the English translation of Martin
Wickramasinghe’s Gamperaliya, an influential Sinhala novel deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture and history.
The study investigates how culturally embedded meanings, expressions, and rituals are represented when

translated from Sinhala into English, focusing on whether these translations preserve the cultural essence of
the original text. The research compares the Sinhala novel with its English version to identify strategies used

to translate culture-bound elements such as religious events, caste terms, foods, kinship titles, and ritual
practices. Using a qualitative content analysis, the research compares the Sinhala novel with its English version
to identify strategies used to translate culture-bound elements. Findings reveal that while some culture-specific
terms are effectively translated through annotated borrowing or explanatory paraphrasing, inconsistencies and

omissions remain. In several cases, deeply embedded cultural references are broadened, inadequately rendered,
or omitted entirely, diminishing the authenticity of the reading experience for international audiences. The

study highlights that certain Sinhala terms lack direct English equivalents, requiring creative solutions such as
descriptive translations or newly coined terms. It argues that successful literary translation demands cultural
literacy and a flexible, theory-informed approach rather than literal word-for-word substitution. Ultimately,

this research emphasises the importance of culturally sensitive translation strategies to preserve the integrity
of Sri Lankan classical literature while expanding its global reach. By integrating linguistic expertise with

cultural awareness, translators can better maintain authenticity and convey the richness of indigenous
narratives across languages.

Keywords: Cultural Untranslatability, Gamperaliya, Indigenous Culture, Sinhala Literature, Translation
Strategies

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