Translation in Arabic language and literature
Zohreh Ghorbani Madavani; Ehya Komasi
Abstract
The phenomenon of linguistic relativity has long posed a significant barrier for translators, arising from the diverse life experiences of language users. Cultural underpinnings, encompassing practices, ideas, and social phenomena, are intrinsically linked to linguistic notions, drawing from the collective ...
Read More
The phenomenon of linguistic relativity has long posed a significant barrier for translators, arising from the diverse life experiences of language users. Cultural underpinnings, encompassing practices, ideas, and social phenomena, are intrinsically linked to linguistic notions, drawing from the collective experiences of language users. The term "organ names" refers to the terms that describe the various parts of the human body, such as eyes, head, and ears. These names can encompass cultural and cognitive notions, including knowledge, perception, emotions, and conventions. Conversely, there exists asemantic correlation between the physiological principles (pertaining to the structure of body parts) and the notions of sociology. An exploration of the cultural and cognitive foundations of these phrases, along with consideration of the speakers' background and lived experiences, can serve as a valuable tool for translators to comprehend the precise meaning and then convey it accurately in the target language. The significance and placement of organ names in language, together with the frequent usage of hand-related terms in Arabic and its dialects, have motivated us to conduct a descriptive-analytical investigation on the word "hand" and its variations. Let's explore the linguistic and cultural conceptualizations of it. In order to examine the semantic and linguistic aspects of this term, we need to select its Persian equivalent and translate it accordingly. The use of formulation in both the source and destination languages can have an impact on the translation and presentation of concepts, which is a significant finding. Sometimes, the translation is based on a shared formulation, while other times it is based on a different formulation. When there is overlap in the translation, it can convey the cultural background and worldview of the source language. Linguistic relativity arises when concepts cannot be effectively conveyed through overlapping translations. In such cases, heterogeneous translation, also known as concept translation, must be employed. This approach ensures that the translation aligns with both the cultural norms of the source language and the cultural norms of the target language.Keywords: Linguistic Relativity, the Names of Hand Organs, Translation, Cultural Foundations. IntrodcutionOne of the enduring obstacles faced by translators throughout history is selecting precise equivalents and effectively conveying concepts from the source language to the target language. Several linguists argue that the translation and equivalency of words do not provide an exact representation of the original language. This is due to the varying cognitive and cultural experiences of language speakers over history. The findings of linguistic studies conducted over a long period of time indicate that each language possesses its own distinct formulations and conceptualizations. Consequently, speakers of different languages have varying perspectives and worldviews.The research inquiries are as follows: What are the linguistic terms and cultural ideas associated with the naming of different parts of the hand in the Arabic language? How might the linguistic relativity arising from the conceptualizations of hand and limb be applied to the Persian language? The research hypothesis posits that there exists a form of linguistic relativity in the conceptualizations of the name of the hand organ in the Arabic language that cannot be adequately conveyed by translation into the target language.Literature ReviewExtensive research has been conducted in several languages about the nomenclature of organs and the examination of their cognitive and cultural concepts, as well as their translation.Ildiko (1990), a researcher in the field of English language, has demonstrated that the utilization of organ names can enhance the breadth of vocabulary in language. Gibbs and Wilson (2002) argue that the human body serves as a cognitive resource in our metaphorical language.Yu (2000), a Chinese researcher, compared the names of the palm and finger organs in the Chinese and English languages. He posits that the conceptions derived from the names of the organs are universally shared cognitive experiences among all humans.Researchers in the field of Persian language also made significant advancements in studying the names of organs and conceptual metaphors. One notable research study is the work of Veisi Hisar and colleagues (2013), titled "Metaphor and Culture: A Cognitive Approach to Two Translations of Khayyam's Quatrains." Saad-allah Homayoni and Maryam Fuladi wrote the article (1401) titled "Analysis of the Role of Linguistic Formations and Cultural Domains in the Translation of Metaphorical Compounds from the Perspective of Cognitive Linguistics."Ali Ganjian Khanari and Ahya Kamasi (1402) have authored an article titled "Cultural and Cognitive Structure of the Singular Nasal and Synonyms in the Arabic Language in the Context of Cultural Linguistics and Wang Li's Theory." This article partially aligns with the objectives of the ongoing research.Research has been conducted to explore the Arabic names of organs and their equivalents in the Persian language. The presence of relativity in the translation of Arabic into Persian has not been thoroughly examined. Research MethodologyThe forthcoming article is based on a cognitive-cultural approach. In order to accomplish the intended objective, we shall employ the principles of cognitive-cultural linguistics as a means to progress the research. This study explores the utilization of hand part names in the Arabic language and subsequently investigates their corresponding counterparts in the Persian language.ConclusionBased on the study of the research data, the following conclusions can be drawn: The semantic domains in Arabic and Persian are established around the concept of "the hand as a tool for measuring and determining direction." This suggests a cultural and biological shared experience among speakers of both languages. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that relativity is present in certain formulations and conceptualizations of the limbless hand, particularly those that are based on experiences derived from the material world.Overlapping translation refers to the identification of linguistic structures that arise from shared experiences. However, when attempting to discover suitable replacements for language structures that arise from the diverse experiences of language users, a process of heterogeneous translation emerges. When translating various and diverse expressions, the translator must consider the cultural norms of both the original and destination languages. Linguistic relativity manifests in various forms, making it difficult to transfer concepts through overlapping translations. Heterogeneous translation, on the other hand, refers to a type of translation that effectively conveys the concepts of the source language while also aligning with the cultural norms of the target language.
Alireza Nazari
Abstract
In relation to language and thought, discussion of language relativity can still be controversial. This hypothesis, more often known as “Sapir–Whorf hypothesis” is based on how language impacts on thought. In its extreme form, it is language that determines and directs thought, and ...
Read More
In relation to language and thought, discussion of language relativity can still be controversial. This hypothesis, more often known as “Sapir–Whorf hypothesis” is based on how language impacts on thought. In its extreme form, it is language that determines and directs thought, and in its mildest form, language affects parts of thinking. The basis of this hypothesis is that the speakers of every language encounters and conceptualizes the world through their own language. Therefore, linguistic differences sometimes lead to differences in the worldviews. Naturally, translation, which transmits data from one language to another, will be affected by such relativity. This article, by a descriptive-analysis, seeks to categorize distinct relativities in Arabic and its effect on the translation of Arabic texts, especially ancient texts into Persian. It seems that based on the distinct Arabic origins of Persian and different pre-Islamic cultural dimensions it would be possible to consider categories of mild relativity in order to confront the translation of Arabic texts with particular challenges. The basic question of the research is to explain the grammatical categories of relativism and how it affects the translation from Arabic. This ultimately leads to the conclusion that the categories of time, number, and gender in verbs, some conjugations, color, descriptions, as well as, some natural phenomena indicate that Arabic, especially in its early periods, is far more atomistic than Persian. In other words, it separates the outer world with more sections, and In this regard, the special attention of translators is required.
