Rendering Lexical Repetition in Arabic Fictional Discourse into English
Loading...
Files
Date
2001
Authors
Majdi Jehad Abu-Zahra
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This is a study on how lexical repetition IS managed by professional translators when translating a piece of Arabic fictional narrative discourse into English. Particularly, it is a study of the various types of lexical repetition in Arabic fictional narrative discourse and the strategies employed by professional translators to render lexical repetition into English.
Through an examination of lexical repetition to excerpts from three Arabic literary works, different types of lexical repetition are found: complete lexical repetition, partial lexical repetition, repetition of special structures and repetition of idiomatic expressions. On examining the translated texts, it is found that formal equivalence is possible only with the first occurrence of a repeated lexical item. Instead, other several strategies are used to handle lexical repetition and to make the translation sound native, thereby meeting the Target Language (TL, henceforth) norms and expectation of text cohesion. These strategies are synonymy and near-synonymy, deletion, ellipsis, pronominalisation and paraphrase. It can be argued that the use of such strategies is generally motivated by the need to rid the English version of the high frequency of certain words in the Source Language (SL, henceforth) text and create variation in the English text. Recommendations are given to novice Arab translators on how to manage lexical repetition when translating a piece of fictional narrative from Arabic into English.
This study falls into four chapters. Chapters one and two are theoretical, while chapters three and four practical. In chapter one, a general introduction to the topic is outlined, highlighting the problem of lexical repetition and the need for translation strategies to manage this repetition into English.
Chapter two gives a theoretical review of repetition. Repetition is defined from different perspectives. This study adopts a concise definition. Other aspects of repetition, especially in Arabic, such as the functions and types of repetition are examined.
In chapter three, a textual analysis of repetition in excerpts from three Arabic stories and their professional translation is attempted, paying special attention to the different types of repetition and translation strategies employed to render lexical repetition into English.
In chapter four, the conclusion and recommendations are given. Finally, some recommendations on how to handle lexical repetition in Arabic-English translation are put forward to novice translators.
Arabic Abstract Not Available
Arabic Abstract Not Available