A Study on Creative Treason in Baba-Malay Translated Sam Kok by Chan Kim Boon

Creative treason is a significant aspect of literary translation. Translators often resort to creative means to ensure the translated work resonates with the cultural nuances of the target language and meets the diverse expectations of its audience, whether consciously or unconsciously. In the late 19th century, within the landscape of British Malaya, including Singapore, the Peranakans (Baba) embarked on their translation endeavors. Among the array of baba-translated works, the full translation of Sam Kok elicited the most fervent response from its target readers. This paper aims to explore the nexus between creative treason and sociocultural factors by analyzing instances of creative reinterpretation in the baba-translated version of Sam Kok in conjunction with the social and historical context of the period. Additionally, it seeks to delve into how the translator’s deliberate reworking of the text facilitated its successful dissemination among its intended audience.