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.
