Abstract:

Abstract Tomi Ungerer, author and illustrator of works for children, born in France, Strasbourg, in 1931, speaks three languages: French, English, German, and the Alsatian dialect. Therefore, his idiosyncratic linguistic fluency gives him an opportunity to supervise the translation of his pieces. Written primarily in English, his works are also provided – with his supervision – both in French and German. Many excerpts of these texts manifest how effectively Ungerer plays with all the languages he is acquainted with, as he creates expressions, puns, and sounds emerging from his subversive mind. If his concoction of these translations and retranslations are taken into consideration, it would be plausible to affirm that Ungerer has been setting forth a living and open work – a real linguistic palimpsest.  This study focuses first on the Alsatian aspects present in Ungerer’s work, whose childhood has been spent in Alsace. Afterwards, the focus shall be directed to two of his works – Les Trois Brigands and Otto – which have been retranslated; and, finally, the expressions which have been revised by the author, present in Amis-Amies are reflected upon.

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