The Notion of Otherness between Resistance and Prestige in Mosteghanemi’s the Bridges of Constantine and Alsanousi’s the Bamboo Stalk

Abstract

This thesis attempts to analyse the appropriation of otherness by two Arab writers. Through a postcolonial reading of Ahlem Mosteghanemi’s the Bridges of Constantine and Saud Alsanousi’s the Bamboo Stalk, it underscores subversion and adjustment of these English translations for the circulation of works in the West. Literary prizes exponentially influence the assumption of literary and non-literary works. Thus, the literary field becomes a marketplace and the culpability for this is to be apportioned to all sides, including consumers (readers). It also argues that postcolonial literature is subject to commodity and it takes evidence from the analysis of the aforementioned narratives. It also underscores subversion/omission of translations to meet the needs of Western market at the expense of the original. It concludes that the representation of the other -colonized and migrant- has been efficaciously done in the original works. Nevertheless, the adjustments (in translation) coupled with omissions and paratexts have had substantial impact on readership and reception of the translations in the West.