The master’s thesis compares the formation of canonical passive voice with other non-canonical passive structures in French and German on the examples taken from the French original of The Little Prince and the German novel Perfume and their translations. The thesis intends to observe how this linguistic phenomenon is treated in both languages with regard to other or non-canonical passive structures as seen in different contexts. Moreover, the thesis aspires to emphasise the potential common features and dissimilarities of both linguistic systems based on the chosen literary works.
The master’s thesis consists of two parts, i.e. the theoretical and the empirical part. The former shows various approaches to grammar (from traditional to modern ones) that allow a universal comparison of both languages. Subsequently, the passive phenomenon in German and French linguistic systems is described within the traditional approach to grammar. In the empirical part of the thesis, examples of canonical and other passive structures from both literary works are analysed with the focus on the comparison of the passive voice frequency in both languages. Particular emphasis is put on the translation practices of other passive structures and the interpretation challenges that they may present. The analysis’ results showed that the frequency level of passive voice in both languages is comparable. Furthermore, despite different initial assumptions, the research findings also indicated many similarities between French and German passive voice formation. The greatest translating challenge regarding passive voice are posed by passive structures which are unknown to one or the other linguistic system, yet the translators of both novels nevertheless strove toward the usage and preservation of passive voice and its functions.
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