Word Choice and Translation Strategies in German Translations of The Baburnama
Abstract
The Baburnama, written by Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, is one of the most significant historical and literary works of Central Asian culture. As a memoir describing Babur’s personal life, political activities, and observations about geography and society, the text has attracted the attention of scholars worldwide. Over the past two centuries, the Baburnama has been translated into many languages, including German. The process of translating this complex historical narrative raises important linguistic and cultural challenges, particularly in the selection of appropriate lexical equivalents. This article examines the strategies of word choice used in German translations of the Baburnama, focusing on how translators convey historical terminology, cultural concepts, and literary expressions from the original Chagatai Turkish text. Special attention is given to the translations by Wolfgang Stammler and the recent translation by the German scholar Helmut Dalow. The study analyzes linguistic, semantic, and cultural aspects of translation and demonstrates how careful lexical selection contributes to preserving the authenticity of Babur’s narrative while adapting it for German readers.