Abstract:
This thesis objective was to study translation strategies of cultural terms in Lai Chiwit, a novel by M.R. Kukrit Pramoj, and its translated version Many Lives. The study results show that Thai culturally specific items found in the novel can be categorized according to Nidas Five Types of Sub-culture (Nida, 1964) with items under the category of Material culture most frequently found. The smaller cultural categories, in terms of number, were Social culture, Religious culture, Ecological culture, and Linguistic culture in descending order. In terms of translation strategies, three strategies were used, namely: 1) Translation Techniques of Adjustment, 2) Literal translation, and 3) Transliteration. Furthermore, some historical events in Thai society influenced the novel and were also mentioned in the novel. Therefore, in addition to language skills, translators are required to have general knowledge such as a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts in order to convey the correct meaning in translation and maintain the authors writing style.