Dom Casmurro as a Graphic Novel

A Socio-Cognitive Enhanced Translation for Teaching Brazilian Literature

Abstract

Graphic novels have a different way of transferring information from culturally entrenched literature to a foreign student than a traditional book of text. The graphic novel, a multimodal educational resource, enables the sharing of aspects of culture that the reader can learn when they are shown. This paper will demonstrate the inseparable connection between language and its cultural context through graphic novels while showing how graphic novels modify students’ input. Using the methods of translation and second language acquisition theories such as and Van Patten’s (1996) processing instruction one can reveal advantages of using graphic novels. Moreover, this research uses Krashen (1985) methods to exemplify how a graphic novel is a modified version of the original text which bridges the gap of different meanings for the foreign student. It also demonstrates the advantages of a multimodal approach. Finally, this paper analyzes examples of Dom Casmurro adapted into a graphic novel and demonstrates how graphic novels increase access for students by illustrating factors of language, literary themes and culture.