A Critical Analysis of the Arabic Translation of Forough Farrokhzad’s Poems Based on Gideon Toury’s Norm-Based Theory and Peter Newmark’s Semantic–Communicative Approach

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Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 kosar university of bojnord

2 kosar university

Abstract

Poetry translation stands among the most complex and demanding areas of translation, as it requires the accurate transmission of meaning, poetic imagery, and the aesthetic features of the source text into the target language. This study, adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, investigates the Arabic translation of selected poems by Forough Farrokhzad as presented in Mukhtarat min al-Shi‘r al-Farsi al-Hadith by Muhammad Nour al-Din Abdul-Moneim. The research is based on two theoretical frameworks: Gideon Toury’s theory of norms and Peter Newmark’s theory of semantic and communicative translation. Toury classifies translation norms into three categories—initial, preliminary, and operational—emphasizing the role of linguistic and cultural factors in the translation process. In contrast, Newmark distinguishes between semantic translation, which remains faithful to the source text, and communicative translation, which focuses on the target audience. The findings of this study reveal that the examined translation predominantly follows Newmark’s communicative approach, seeking to localize linguistic and cultural elements to convey the poetic message effectively to Arabic-speaking readers. However, in certain instances, the full transfer of deep meanings and aesthetic nuances is not achieved, reflecting the intrinsic challenges and limitations of poetry translation. This research highlights the importance of the conscious application of translation theories in enhancing the quality of literary translation, particularly in the field of poetry.

Keywords: Translation of Poetry, Arabicization

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Translation Researches in the Arabic Language And Literature

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 September 2025

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