The Friendly Giant/Il-Ä gant id-Dħuli, by Gladys Masters, translated into Maltese by Toni Aquilina
(ISBN: 978-99957-48-79-1)
(ISBN: 978-99957-48-79-1)
Prof. Anthony (Toni) Aquilina from the Department of Translation, Terminology and Interpreting Studies, Faculty of Arts of the University of Malta has added yet another title to his long list of translations, this time that of a children’s book, entitled Il-Ä gant id-Dħuli/The Friendly Giant, originally written by Gladys Masters and published in 1943 in the New Old-Time Fairy Tales series.
Hitting two birds with one stone, the translator not only regales his young readers with a beautiful story written in excellent Maltese but also exposes them to the theme of tolerance, which is so important and relevant to society in general today. Il-Ä gant id-Dħuli is more of a parable about tolerance and social inclusion, teaching children the importance of reaching out to those who would be more inclined to shun others on the basis of conceit and/or preconceptions. Most importantly the tale emphasises the need for mutual suspension of mistrust. This is what the Giant in the story ultimately manages to achieve after taking the first step himself to reach out towards his frightened and inordinately suspicious 'tiny' neighbours.
To better enhance the pedagogical scope of the book, Prof. Aquilina has prepared a very child friendly glossary of about one hundred words, all taken from the story and presented in alphabetical order.
A Faraxa Publication, Il-Ä gant id-Dħuli is hard-bound and illustrated by Bernard Micallef and Jeanelle Zammit.
