Breaking the Textual and Visual Ice: In Canadian Comic Book Translation by Charity K. Slobod A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in French Language, Literatures and Linguistics Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies University of Alberta © Charity K. Slobod, 2015 Abstract ‘Comic Studies’ is an ever-evolving field including approaches ranging from documenting comic book growth and its history, to perspectives in critical theory. Even with this rich diversity in comic-subject matter, there are a surprising few who have focused on how cultural studies and translation affect the genre. This thesis uses notions of translation and cultural theory to help determine how Canadian comic books fare within an existing and broadened framework. Included are each books' respective milieu, notable changes when the pieces are translated into either French or English, and whether the process has been completed locally or by crossing international borders. Exploring a corpus of seven domestic comics – examples are pulled from chronicles to help detail particularities in comic translation within the Canadian cultural, transcultural, graphic, and symbolic sense. These are not found in a compounded, or ‘narrow’ meaningful deliverance, but culturally expressive in meaning. The comic book enquiry arises from the communicative relationship between the picture and its words. Using messages from the two forms, this study aims to clarify dissimilarities between image and text found in comics, further exposed during its translation. ii Preface This thesis is the product of using a corpus of seven Canadian comic books which served as the main source of research material. The collaboration between myself and Dr. Chris Reyns- Chikuma helped explore the repeat examples which led to each chapter's respective topics. It is an original piece of work with no portion previously published. iii This is dedicated to my family, although slightly unsure of my work, supported me anyway. iv Acknowledgements The research conducted in this thesis is built from budding studies in comic books and their translations. Although a new and emerging field, this work could not materialize without the kind guidance and extensive knowledge from my supervisor, Dr. Chris Reyns-Chikuma. Not only did we collaborate on this project - continually bouncing ideas off one another – he also helped me grow through my time as a Master‘s student. My years under his tutelage were truly inspirational, encouraging, and memorable. A dear thank-you Dr, Reyns-Chikuma! The University of Alberta is a strong community, and without the helpful advice received from Dr. Renee Polziehn, I would not have learned how to approach exactly what we do behind these campus walls. She has taught me the importance of sharing my research with others, challenging myself, and focusing on what comes next. Thank-you so much for your open door and kind heart. I would also like to thank Dr. Sathya Rao for his enthusiasm in our department‘s work. Lastly, I am very fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful, patient, and supportive friends and family members. They helped prop me up when I felt personally listless. My dear Kavanaghs, Kaeli Campbell, Maeve Byrnes, .Dr. Elena Siemens, Jackie Burko, Niall Topfer, Dave Garrison, Shona Allison, Savvy, Evan, and Donna Kafara, Kelly Carter, and ―Cambridge‖ Ford – thanks many folds! My treasured friends and family: Fred Mills, Ma, Pa, London, my Beppe, my brother Luke Slobod, and Rylan Kafara. A big, mighty squeeze to you all! v Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………...... ii Preface……………………………………………………………………………………………iii Dedications……………………………………………………………………………………….iv Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………….................v Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………....vi List of Illustrations.........................................................................................................................vii Introduction: What Exactly Are We Dealing With?........................................................................1 Chapter 1: The Great Northern Brotherhood of Canadian Cartoonists........................................14 ‗Canadiana Reimagined‘: Seth‘s G.N.B Double C and its Imagery Translation Chapter 2: Julie Doucet and her New York Diary..........................................................................39 Linguistic and Geographical Mobility and their Influences on Self-Translation Chapter 3: Shenzhen/Scott Pilgrim...............................................................................................59 Transnationalism in Comics: Guy Delisle In Shenzhen and Bryan Lee O‘Malley‘s Youthful Scott Pilgrim (Vol. 1) Chapter 4: Paul a un travail d’été/ Louis Riel……........................................................................80 The Sights and Sounds of Michel Rabagliati‘s Youth and Chester Brown‘s Canadian History Chapter 5: Symbolic Translation in Essex County........................................................................92 Textual Signs, Visual Narratives, ‗Canadiana‘s Readability: The Whole Meal Deal Conclusion...................................................................................................................................111 Work Cited..................................................................................................................................112 vi List of Illustrations Doucet‘s Speech Balloon.................................................................................................................3 Scott Pilgrim’s ―Hello‖....................................................................................................................6 Essex County’s Hockey Skate.........................................................................................................7 G.N.B Double C Letter...................................................................................................................9 Kao-Kuk‘s Constrained Translation..............................................................................................23 Seth‘s Gradual Pace......................................................................................................................25 Trepanier‘s Canoe.........................................................................................................................26 Clem‘s Memory.............................................................................................................................32 Cup of Alcohol.........................................................................................................................35-36 Cover of New York Diary..............................................................................................................46 Cover of Changement d’adresses..................................................................................................46 Julie Doucet Leaving New York...................................................................................................57 Descent to Hell...............................................................................................................................65 Guy‘s Tintin...................................................................................................................................65 Guy Ordering Food........................................................................................................................67 Restaurant Humor in Japan............................................................................................................68 Guy‘s Map.....................................................................................................................................69 Scott‘s Fight...................................................................................................................................75 Manga Fight...................................................................................................................................75 Starry Eyes.....................................................................................................................................76 Whitespace.....................................................................................................................................76 Paul Vulgarities..............................................................................................................................86 Annie‘s Clap..................................................................................................................................87 Mud Fight......................................................................................................................................88 vii ―He Scooores‖.............................................................................................................................100 Bobby Orr‘s Famous Goal...........................................................................................................100 Vince‘s Letters.............................................................................................................................102 Depicting Lou‘s Deafness............................................................................................................104 Lester‘s Mother............................................................................................................................105 Jimmy‘s Grimace.........................................................................................................................108