Abstract:
Translation is not just a translation of words but it is a creative act of translating
the whole idea of source language into target language. The aim of this research
is to compare the lexical meanings of Leonard Woolt's 'The Village in the
Jungle' which is based on Sinhalese folk life and 'Beddegama' which is
translated by A. P. Gunarathna. 'The Village in the Jungle' is also an influential
work of Sri Lankan Literature. Data were collected by comparing a selected
chapter of the translation with the corresponding chapter of the source text.
Dialects, registers, styles, cultural words, discriminative words and slangs are
focused on examining the lexical meanings. Through the analysis of the data
collected, it can be proved that the colonial administration had been affected to
the Sri Lankans who lived in that period and it can be seen through the lexical
meanings. The story of the novel "Village in the Jungle" is full of acrimony.
Thus, a soothing, delicate lexicon from both the books cannot be expected.
Further, semi-civilised villagers and the differences of their attitudes are also
affected to the lexical meanings of the books. By this research, it is discovered
that the social background of the composed season of these books is immensely
affected to the lexical meanings.
