Translation in Arabic language and literature
Horiyeh Kokabi Dana; Ali Saedavi
Abstract
Keywords: Book of Al-Ayyam, Taha Hossein, Khadiv Jam, Al-Ayyam Translating, Referential Meaning, Slippage in theReferential Meaning.IntroductionWhether we consider the translation unit as a word, a sentence, a text, or even a concept, the quest for finding the appropriate equivalent for vocabulary remains ...
Read More
Keywords: Book of Al-Ayyam, Taha Hossein, Khadiv Jam, Al-Ayyam Translating, Referential Meaning, Slippage in theReferential Meaning.IntroductionWhether we consider the translation unit as a word, a sentence, a text, or even a concept, the quest for finding the appropriate equivalent for vocabulary remains essential and effective. Understanding the meaning of sentences or texts does not occur in isolation; it is inherently connected to the vocabulary used. Therefore, when translating a text from one language to another, the translator’s initial task should be to assess the meaning of individual words.Peter Newmark contends that translators who dismiss the translation of individual words in favor of focusing solely on sentences and messages deceive themselves. After all, every sentence or text comprises words, each of which independently carries a meaning that reflects a tangible or abstract reality from the external world. Consequently, many experts prioritize the referential meaning—the genuine and concrete sense of words—over other potential meanings. As long as a translator can convey a word’s referential meaning accurately in the target language, there is no need to resort to alternative interpretations.Nevertheless, it is observed that translators occasionally falter when translating the referential meaning. In this essay, the authors aim to analyze and evaluate the translation of the second volume of Hossein Khadiojam’s book Al-Ayyam, specifically addressing the factors that led to deviations from the intended referential meaning.Literature ReviewNumerous studies have explored various aspects of meaning and the quest for equivalence in translation. Among these, the following noteworthy works can be highlighted:“Pragmatics of Referential Meanings of Words in the Translation Process of Nahj al-Balaghah” (1396-2016)by Seyyed Mehdi Masbooq: In this article, Masbooq and colleagues meticulously examine one hundred and twelve words from Nahj al-Balaghah across translations by Mr. Jafari, Dashti, Faqihi, and Faiz al-Islam. The study sheds light on challenges faced by translators, including issues related to vocabulary structure, as well as formal and spiritual nuances of the words.“Research on Translation from Arabic to Persian Based on the Process of ‘Spiritual Equivalence’ (Case Study of the Novel Al-Sakriye)” (1393-2013)by Adnan Tahmasabi and Siddiqa Jafari: This article delves into the translation process, exploring lexical equivalence and language structures across different lexical and semantic layers, with a focus on Al-Sukariyyeh’s novel.“Types of Meaning in Translation” (1393-2013)by Alireza Khan Jan: Khan Jan addresses the critical issue of distinguishing between various types of meaning, emphasizing its significance from Halliday’s perspective.“Criticism on the Translation of ‘Al-Ibarat’: A Testimony to the Necessity of Proficiency in Source and Target Languages” (2012)by Shahriar Gitti and colleagues: Through a critical examination of the translation of the textbook Al-Ibrate, the authors discuss common errors and their underlying causes, emphasizing the challenges faced by translators due to insufficient fluency in both the source and target languages.“Etymology of Words in Nahj al-Balagha: An Emphasis on Ibn-Faris’s Method” (1391-2013): Hossein Mu-yadi’s thesis delves into the etymology process of words found in Nahj al-Balagha. By analyzing the semantics and roots of the vocabulary, the study explores Ibn-Faris’s approach and its impact on vocabulary comprehension.“Pragmatics of ‘Translation Equivalence’ for Words in Quran Translation” (2011)by Hamidreza Mirhaji and colleagues: This article emphasizes the necessity of considering different semantic layers to achieve translation equivalence. The authors examine the process of equivalence and equality at the word level, highlighting that translations from the Quran often lack sufficient attention to the principle of “translation equivalence.” Translators tend to focus primarily on transferring the referential meaning, often overlooking other semantic layers.“Text, Metatext, and Analysis of Basic and Relative Meaning: A Comparative Study with Interpretation” (1386-2006)by Dr. Mohammad Baqer Saeedi Roshan: In this article, the author compares the perspectives of Muslim scholars and contemporary semantic approaches regarding situational meaning and pragmatics as the primary meaning of words, both within and outside the context. The study also explores the relative meaning of words, as understood from the context and text.Although referential meaning—one of the types of meaning—has been analyzed and evaluated in various books and research, there appears to be a gap in independent research regarding its importance, impact on understanding other meanings, and the factors contributing to translator errors in handling referential meaning during translation.On the contrary, the focus of this research lies on the referential meaning within the context of equivalence-seeking during the translation of the second volume of Al-Ayam. The authors aim to address the following questions:What factors contributed to Khadiojam’s errors in translating the referential meaning of certain words?Which factor occurred most frequently?To achieve this, the authors have extracted 69 examples from the second volume of Al-Ayam, where they believe Khadiojam deviated from the intended referential meaning. Due to space constraints, the article provides a select few examples for each factor, followed by an evaluation and analysis using a comparative approach.Conclusion
