Unit One: Introducing the Main Concepts in Translation Studies
Overview.1
1.1 Definition
1.2 Equivalence
1.3 Context
2. Types of Translation
2.1 Literal Translation
Done
2.2 Metaphorical Translation
Metaphorical translation involves the translation of SL metaphors into TL metaphors. It is inevitable in literary translation, as serious works of literature abound in creative metaphors whose formal rendition in the TL is as important as the conveyance of the messages they encapsulate. The translation of a metaphor should ideally be consistent with the degree of its metaphoric force (i.e naturalness in the TL). Therefore, in creative metaphors the vehicle (i.e., the form) and the tenor (i.e., the content) become intertwined and subsequently inseparable, as they are indicative of the unique properties of both the author of the work of art and the SL culture. This being the case, metaphorical translation of such creative metaphors becomes a necessity, regardless of how hard-going the resulting IL texts. will, be. By way of illustration, consider the following metaphors of the renowned Iraqi poet Badr Shakir al-Sayaab and their metaphorical renditions: عيناك غابتا نخيلٍ ساعة السحر
أو شرفتان راح ينأى عنهما القمر
Your eyes are two palm orchards at daybreak.
Or two balconies wherefrom the moon was receding.
However, metaphors are not always creative; they are frequently used as decorative metaphors that are basically intended to decorate the text by injecting it with flowery language that is laden with figures of speech. A quick look at advertisements and various forms of media, among other things, reveals how metaphorical the language used for general purposes has become.
For instance, general English texts are packed with metaphorical expressions like a wild goose chase, in deep water, jump the gun, raise the roof, flog a dead horse, get the push, a drop in the ocean, as dry as a bone, etc.
It should be noted that decorative metaphors may lend themselves readily to metaphorical translation that exhibits functional equivalence and, in some cases, a coincidence between functional and formal equivalence. Nevertheless, they may also lend themselves to non-metaphorical translation that exhibits ideational equivalence independently of functional and formal equivalence. By way of illustration, note the metaphorical English sentence below and its possible Arabic translations (The first two renditions exemplify metaphorical translation while the third exemplifies non-metaphorical translation) :
Ahmed will be flogging a dead horse if he ever tries to do a Ph.D. in linguistics.
1- ستذهب جهود أحمد أدراج الرياح إذا ما حاول أن يحصل على شهادة الدكتوراه في اللغويات
2- سيعود أحمد بخفي حنين إذا ما حاول أن يحصل على شهادة الدكتوراه
3- سيفشل أحمد إذا ما حاول أن يحصل على شهادة الدكتوراه في اللغويات
Exercise 15
a. Translate the following creative Arabic metaphors into English.
داعب النسيم شعرها Example: The breeze dallied her hair
1. بكت المآذن
2. كانت الأشجار ترقص حولي
3. ابتسم لها القدر
4. أرض البرتقال الحزين
5. و تسقط أدمع القمر
b. Translate the following Shakespearean sonnet into Arabic, paying special attention to the creative metaphors in it.
Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave, doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth,
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow;
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
And yet, to times in hope, my verse shall stand
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
Exercise 16
a) Translate into English the following stanza from one of Fadwa Tuqan's poems "الطوفان و الشجرة", which was written in the aftermath of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
ستقوم الشجرة
ستقوم الشجرة و الأغصان
ستنمو في الشمس و تخضر
و ستورق ضحكات الشجرة
في وجه الشمسْ
و سيأتي الطيرْ
لا بد سيأتي الطيرْ
سيأتي الطيرْ
سيأتي الطيرْ
b) Translate into English the following stanza from a poem entitled لحن غجري by Mahmud Darwish
حلمٌ مالحٌ
و صوتٌ
يحفر الخصر في الحجرْ
اذهبي يا حبيبتي
فوق رمشي أو الوترْ
c) Have you opted for metaphorical or non-metaphorical translation? Explain why.
Exercise 17
a) Translate the following text into Arabic, preserving an the metaphors in it.
The high street is having. a facelift. In an unprecedented flurry of activity, new retailing concepts are being launched, while some of the 'oldies' are being revitalised. Marks and Spencer is testing new layouts, shops within shops, satellite stores. The experimental Woolworth stores are light years away from the traditional Woolies. Burton has begun a blitz to install some of its high street names in branches of the department store chain Debenhams, which it has just acquired - with the controversial 'galleria' concept to follow.
b) Now give another Arabic translation of the same text, doing away with all the metaphors in it.
c) Why is it possible to strip the text of its metaphors in the second translation?
You can register from here to get free full access . We highly appreciate any participation from teachers and professors 
Connexion
Mobile
FAQ
Rechercher
::
