Implications of Arabic simile features in translation and transcreation of literary texts in the book of Al-’Abrat into English
The study of Arabic rhetorical characteristics, particularly similes, in translation has garnered significant interest due to their pivotal role in fostering intercultural understanding. Translating Arabic similes, known for their linguistic and cultural intricacies, poses significant challenges...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123903/1/123903.pdf http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/123903/ https://ethesis.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/18737 |
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| Summary: | The study of Arabic rhetorical characteristics, particularly similes, in translation has
garnered significant interest due to their pivotal role in fostering intercultural
understanding. Translating Arabic similes, known for their linguistic and cultural
intricacies, poses significant challenges to translators. These challenges arise from the
complex nature of similes, the use of implicit strategies, and subtle cultural nuances
that affect meaning transmission across cultural boundaries. The aim of this research
is to identify and analyse the translation problems encountered when translating
Arabic similes present in “Al-’Abrat” by Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfaluti into English, with
particular focus on linguistic and cultural nuances that hinder the translation process.
In addition, Siddiqui’s main strategy for translating these Arabic similes is assessed,
and the extent to which the translation favours a literal approach over a creative,
transcreative strategy is determined. Furthermore, the study examines the impact of
Arabic similes on the translation of literary texts, particularly in al-Manfaluti’s “Al-
’Abrat,” and explores the potential applications of advanced machine learning
methods, such as natural language processing techniques, to analyse these similes and
their translations.
A Python-based program was employed to identify instances of similes in the
translation of “Al-’Abrat” into “The Tears.” The researcher then carried out a manual
verification process to confirm the accuracy of these findings, resulting in 200 verified
similes that served as the data set for the study. Employing a descriptive and
interpretive methodology, the study analysed these 200 pairs of similes and their
translations from Arabic to English, taken from the story anthology “Al-’Abrat.” The
findings indicate that the predominant strategy — retaining the original simile vehicle
— was evident in 61% of cases, highlighting a preference for literal translation to
preserve the original imagery of the simile while incorporating adaptive strategies for
cultural relatability.
The analysis reveals a higher prevalence of literal translation strategies compared to
creative or transcreative approaches, indicating a departure from the dynamic and
integrative translation practices recommended in the literature. This preference for
literal interpretation underscores the difficulty of balancing linguistic accuracy with
capturing cultural and emotional nuances in translation. The study also explores the
potential of interdisciplinary approaches, including computational linguistics, to
enhance translation precision and promote cross-cultural understanding. The
application of natural language processing techniques offers new insights into the
complex interplay of language, culture, and cognition in literary texts. This research
makes a valuable contribution to the wider discussion of Arabic-English literary
translation and emphasises the importance of a deep understanding of both cultural
and linguistic elements in this process.
Theoretical frameworks by Abdul-Raof (2006), Pierini (2007), Lakoff and Johnson
(1980), and Ketola (2018) served as the basis for analysing translation difficulties,
strategies, and the implications of rhetorical features. This integration of machine
learning into literary translation research promises to open innovative ways of
understanding and preserving the emotive and cultural dimensions of original works
in their translated form. |
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