Traduire l’autochtonie dans La Femme-fleuve d’Ernest Pépin.: Le cas des Aluku de Guyane française

Abstract

This essay delves into the intricacies of translating Ernest Pépin’s work La Femme-fleuve, a narrative rich in references to the Aluku people, also known as the “Boni”, a Maroon community with origins in West Africa. This translation experience not only captivated the translator but also sparked a profound interest in a people previously unknown to her, considered indigenous to French Guiana due to their unique history. The study highlights key moments in this journey and aims primarily to underscore the crucial role of translators and writers in acknowledging indigenous groups. It emphasizes the immense potential of translation to offer a more precise and comprehensive representation of indigenous peoples. Just as the visibility of indigenous peoples relies on the essential contributions of writers and translators, this visibility can be further enhanced through collaboration among these stakeholders: sociologists, ethnologists, anthropologists, and, of course, concerned citizens.