Translation in Arabic language and literature
Zahra Khafaje Karimoy; Hossein Shamsabadi; Seyed Mehdi Nouri Keyzoghani
Abstract
In our interconnected global society, the ability to communicate effectively across many languages is of utmost importance. Nevertheless, the process of translating writings in several languages frequently presents obstacles that hinder the precise alignment of specific thoughts or expressions. The reciprocal ...
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In our interconnected global society, the ability to communicate effectively across many languages is of utmost importance. Nevertheless, the process of translating writings in several languages frequently presents obstacles that hinder the precise alignment of specific thoughts or expressions. The reciprocal relationship between culture and language elucidates the reason why, throughout the act of translation, we invariably encounter both the cultural context and the original language. In this scenario, the translator, acting as a cultural middleman, should align the source culture with the language. Thenovel "Al-Nazzara al-Sauda" by Ihsan Abdel Quddous was chosen for analysis to determine the translatability of its linguistic and cultural words and phrases. This examination was conducted in a descriptive-analytical manner. Upon careful examination of the expressions, we have discovered numerous instances in both the realms of linguistics and culture that defy translation. The translator is thus faced with the task of rendering words and sentences in a manner that aligns with the language and culture of the source (Persian) while remaining comprehensible to the intended audience. Consequently, the translator has predominantly relied on the "role equivalent" method to translate parts that cannot be translated directly.Keywords: Literary Translation, The Concept of Untranslatability, The Process of Equalization, Al-Nazzara al-Sauda, Ihsan Abdel Quddous.Introduction"Al-Nazzara al-Sauda" is a renowned work that explores the intricate themes of love, identity, and self-awareness. This narrative offers a profound understanding of the human condition within a conventional Middle Eastern society. Ihsan Abdel Quddous has adeptly employed linguistic tricks, cultural allusions, and poetic metaphors to convey the intricate elements of the text, although these pose difficulties when it comes to translation. Hence, the writers were motivated to explore the concept of untranslatability in the current novel due to the imperative of comprehending the intricacies and subtleties of language, culture, and translation, as well as devising strategies to overcome language barriers and enhance intercultural communication. Literature ReviewAn extensive study has been conducted on the topic of translation studies, specifically focusing on the untranslatability of literary texts. In the following, we will highlight a few notable studies on this subject.Mohammad Reza Shafiei Kadkani wrote the 2013 essay "On the Untranslatability of Poetry," which is a source for other papers with the same title."The Inability to Translate Scientific Theories Using Different Terminology" (2017) the author of this essay is Mohammad Mahdi Hatef. This article presents a clear definition of translation words and addresses the issues raised by critics. Fatemeh Rakei's article, titled "Reflection on the Aspects of Translation (un)acceptability of Contemporary Persian Poetry" (1400), explores the translatability and translation of contemporary Persian poetry into English. The article aims to investigate this specific aspect of translation in this field. The results collected demonstrate that certain elements, such as content and expressive innovations, metaphors, symbols, and cultural and societal issues, can be effectively translated. However, aspects such as weight, rhyme, pun, and meaning are found to be untranslatable.Another work by Nosrat Hijazi and Rouya Shirin is "Translatability and Acceptability of Cultural Elements in Audio-Visual Texts: A Case Study of French Subtitles of the Iranian Television Series Der Cheshm Bad" (2019). This article examines the process of transferring and translating cultural aspects into audiovisual texts using subtitles.Alireza Nazari, Fatemeh Ferozan Qalabin, and Muhaddezah Samiiwrote the article "Analysis of the Role of Linguistic Factors in the Untranslatability of the Text of the Qur'an (a Comparative Study of Verses from Surah Yusuf in Four Famous Translations of the Qur'an)" (2014).In this article, the authors focus on the specific role of linguistic factors in the verses of Surah Yusuf and subsequently analyze these factors in four well-known contemporary translations of the Qur'an.The paper titled "Difficulty of Translatability of Kitab al-Mubin as a Literary Work" was authored by Abolfazl Hari in 1386. This essay analyzes the Qur'an as a piece of literature and concludes that while its rhetorical and linguistic intricacies are not entirely impossible to translate, they are indeed challenging to translate.Based on the authors' thorough investigations, no previous independent research has been conducted specifically on the issue of untranslatability in Ihsan Abdel Quddous’ novel "Al-Nazzara al-Sauda." Consequently, the writers have chosen to introduce a novel contribution.Research MethodologyLiterary translation is considered the most aesthetically pleasing form of translation. This is as a result of the translator carefully choosing the most appropriate and harmonious language in accordance with their literary preferences. The presence of various verbal and spiritual arrangements is clearly apparent in literary translation (Marouf, 1384:17).Linguistics and societal customs: When considering the connection between language and culture, it may be argued that language serves as an integrated system that represents and propels culture. According to this, all text elements might have a cultural aspect since language is inherently connected to culture as a distinct and autonomous entity (Hijazi and Shirin, 2019: 71).Intranslatability: The presence of linguistic diversity can provide obstacles to the process of translation, particularly when it involves words, phrases, or cultural nuances that are difficult to effectively convey. An obstacle that might hinder accurate communication is untranslatability, as it directly affects the interpretation of the message. Several theorists have discussed the concept of untranslatability in the process of translation, and each of them has put forth ways for achieving accurate translation. Hermans and Santos argue that untranslatability encompasses both the linguistic structure and the interplay between language and culture. They propose a division of untranslatability into two categories: "linguistic untranslatability" and "cultural untranslatability" (Hermans, 2019: 602; Santos, 21:2006).David Harvey, a different scholar, has put out four approaches for rendering features that cannot be translated:Equivalent role (functional) 2: A visual representation of the same meaning in language 3- Loaning 4: Translation that provides an explanation and description of the text (Khairkhah and Sajjudi, 2013:24).ConclusionThis research has served as a paradigm and a reference to prevent the occurrence of untranslatability, aligning with one of David Harvey's proposed solutions. Consequently, based on the categorization and detailed analytical examination of the excerpts extracted from the novel, it can be concluded that translators are obligated to offer a recommended translation that is compatible with the linguistic structure. In the majority of instances, Farsi employs the approach of role or function to convey desirable linguistic and cultural concepts to the reader. However, it also utilizes other techniques, such as descriptive translation, to achieve the same objective effectively.
Translation in Arabic language and literature
Arezu Pooryazdanpanah Kermani
Abstract
The Garces model is a significant theory in the field of linguistics that focuses on the qualitative examination of translated literary works to assess the quality of translations. This approach assesses translations according to two criteria: acceptability and appropriateness. It evaluates positive ...
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The Garces model is a significant theory in the field of linguistics that focuses on the qualitative examination of translated literary works to assess the quality of translations. This approach assesses translations according to two criteria: acceptability and appropriateness. It evaluates positive and negative attributes at four different levels. The initial level of this theory focuses on analyzing the components associated with vocabulary and the transmission of meaning via language. The second level involves the analysis of syntactic and morphological components, while the third and fourth levels focus on evaluating discourse and text style. Farīd ud-Dīn ʿAṭṭār of Nishapur’s Mantiq Al-Tair is highly esteemed Persian mystical poetry that has been translated into other languages. Currently, Dr. Badi’ MohammadJomeh’s translation, which he conducted at Ain Shams University, is the most thorough of these translations. Furthermore, Mohammad Jomeh’s original translation of Mantiq Al-Tair by Attar has been praised for its self-worth in conveying the logic and invaluable ideas of the author to the Arab world. The translation is particularly notable for its precision, conciseness, eloquence, and literary highlights. As a result, it has been subjected to examination and evaluation using the Garces model and its four levels. The research findings suggest that the translator has faithfully followed the source language in the mentioned translation. Furthermore, the translation demonstrates greater acceptability and adequacy in terms of lexical and syntactic-morphological meaning compared to the other two levels. The translator's proficiency is particularly evident at these two levels. He has employed a greater number of constructive methods. However, the translation being examined has prominently featured negative tactics at two levels of discourse: functional and stylistic-semantic. This might be attributed to the choice of content for translation, specifically mystical systems. Despite incorporating culturally similar parts, the elevation of Badi’ Mohammad Jomeh’s translation can be attributed to lexical expansion, compensation, and changes in syntax and structure.Keywords: Translation Criticism, Literary translation, Mantiq Al-Tair, ʿAṭṭār of Nishapur, Badi’ Mohammad Jomeh, Carmen Garces.IntroductionMantiq Al-Tair is a highly significant oriental text that has beentranslated into various languages. Dr. Badi’ Mohammad Jomeh, anesteemed professor specializing in oriental studies at Ain ShamsUniversity, has successfully rendered a full translation of this work into the Arabic language. Evaluating the translation is vital to ensuring its accuracy, utilizing various translation principles and approaches. Translation criticism serves as a crucial connection between translation theory and translation practice. Garces's theory is a significant destination-oriented theory that consists of four stages. Due to its complete nature, it can serve as an effective model for assessing the quality of translations, particularly in the context of literary translated works, in terms of their acceptability and adequacy. This essay aims to assess the Arabic translation of Mantiq Al-Tair by Badi’ Mohammad Jomeh using Garces' methodology, employing an analytical-descriptive approach.Literature ReviewSome significant research has been conducted in the field of translation criticism, specifically regarding the translation of Mantiq Al-Tair and the application of the Garces model. Notable articles include "Mantiq Al-Tair of Attar in Lebanon (criticism on the research and translation of the Arabic Mantiq Al-Tair)" (1383) by Nik Manesh, "Criticism and review of the Persian translation of the novel Qalb al-Lil with the title Del Shab based on the model of Garces" (1396) by Ali Sayadani et al., "Lexual criticism of the translation of Sheikh Abdulhaq Mohadath Dehlavi from Fatuh al-Ghayb based on the semantic level - Garces Lexicon" (1400) by Bidkhoni and AghHosseini, "Hermeneutic view of the French translation of somemystical words of Al- Mantiq Al-Tair based on the opinions of Umberto Eco" (1400) by Moghaddam and Akrami Fard company, and "Study in Translation Al-Arabiya for the Mantiq Al-Tair" (2006) by Nadi Hassoun.It is evident that the Arabic translation of Mantiq Al-Tair has not been systematically and critically evaluated using translation criticism theories. Furthermore, the studies based on Garces theory are restricted to the translation of novels and fictional works, and despite the potential of Garces theory to assess the translation of poetic texts, no research has been conducted thus far to critique and evaluate text translations using this theory. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the acceptability and sufficiency of the planned translation by listing the favorable and unfavorable characteristics.Research MethodologyGarces theory is a comprehensive model used to assess literary writings. It goes beyond just the translation of words and phrases and takes into account four different levels. The Garces model is widely regarded as a prominent model for evaluating the translation of literary texts. The increasing adoption of this approach by scholars in recent years demonstrates its favorable standing among translation critics. This paradigm operates on the notion of parity between the source and destination texts. According to Garces, the source text and the translation should aim for maximum equivalence on all four levels. The four layers are: semantic-lexical, syntactic-morphological, discourse-role, and stylistic-intentional.ConclusionMantiq Al-Tair is a significant spiritual poem in Persian poetry and literature that has been translated into other languages. This essay critically evaluates the Arabic translation of . Badi’ Mohammad Jomeh’s Mantiq Al-Tair, using the Garces model as a framework for analysis. Upon evaluating this translation using the four levels of the Garces model, it was concluded that the translation being examined is in the original language. Out of the four levels in the Garces model, this translation demonstrates a higher level of conformity with the semantic-lexical level compared to the other three levels. The subgroups that have emerged in this translation at this level include assimilation, lexical expansion, lexical account, general and specific, definition and explanation, cultural equivalent, and syntactic expansion. At this stage, the translator has employed constructive methods with the exception of one instance (lexical explanation). Out of the subcategories stated, lexical expansion and lexical account are more frequent in this translation.The translation examines modifications in syntax or structure, alterations in viewpoint, compensation, implications, and the elimination of subsets at the syntactic-morphological level. Among these modifications, the change of syntax or structure is particularly prominent in this translation. In addition to implication and omission, which are negative strategies at this level, the translator has employed positive techniques. All subcategories within the two levels of discourse—functional and stylistic-semantic—are seen asnegative strategies. The most common ones are the translator's mistake and changing the function of rhetorical devices.
Fateme Akbarizade; Yosra Shadman
Abstract
The play is a special literary type which has features a literary text and special dramatic features that will only be complete on the scene. Shahrzad's play, the Tawfiq al-Hakim plays written with a philosophical theme. This play has been translated twice in Persian by Shariat and Ayati. The translation ...
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The play is a special literary type which has features a literary text and special dramatic features that will only be complete on the scene. Shahrzad's play, the Tawfiq al-Hakim plays written with a philosophical theme. This play has been translated twice in Persian by Shariat and Ayati. The translation of the play is difficult task and its dramatic character must also be translated. This paper attempts to use a descriptive-analytical method, to examine two translations for stylistics and dramatic elements to check out the problems of the translation of the play. The results show that both translations have been tried to translate the language of the source language into the target language. But because of the translation of dramatic elements, the translation of the Shariat has been more successful. Because he translates tone and dialogue well and he tried to make the Dialogues fit the characters of the show.
Iysa Motaghizadeh; Seyyed Ala Naghizadeh
Abstract
Translation evaluation is one of the methods of criticism that is used to determine the quality level of translated texts. Usually, after the texts have been translated, the editors are evaluating the translated texts. Therefore, the translator of translated texts must have sufficient control in both ...
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Translation evaluation is one of the methods of criticism that is used to determine the quality level of translated texts. Usually, after the texts have been translated, the editors are evaluating the translated texts. Therefore, the translator of translated texts must have sufficient control in both the source and the target languages so that in addition to editing the target text being able to evaluate it in terms of equivalence. In this research, we are trying to find out, based on the model of the evaluation of the translation of Mrs. Carmen Garces which is designed to assess the translation of literary texts in four levels (lexical, grammatical, discourse, and stylistic) using descriptive and analytical method; we will assess Arabic translation of the message of the leader of the revolution to the pilgrims of Hajj. One of the findings of this paper is that cultural differences between Farsi and Arabic languages and finding appropriate synonyms at vocabulary, and grammatical level based on these differences represent one of the most important challenges in the translation process. Similarly, examples such as adaptation, equivalents, an extension of vocabulary in the target language and using proper and general vocabulary, susceptibility from colloquial language are among most important challenges in this context.
