Censura y traducción para niños

Abstract

This paper deals with the influence of Francoist censorship in translated children's literature. We have concentrated on the Spanish translation of some William Brown books by Richmal Crompton (1890-1969).

Firstly we have studied the books within the historical context between 1940-1960, i.e., after the Spanish Civil War. Then, the treatment received by both Spanish and foreign children's literature (particularly English literature) by Francoist censorship has been considered. We have illustrated this part of the paper with some interesting reports and statements made by some members of the established censorship, and funny examples taken from the translation of Still William: Guillermo y el cerdo premiado.

Finally, we have established a comparison berween William and Harry Potter, the world's most popular children's book series but also the most challenged in 1999, and sadly we have arrived at the conclusion that censorship of children's literature still exists nowadays but in a new form, the famous “political correctness”.