Translating Metaphors & Proverbs PDF

Translating Metaphors & Proverbs Larson summarizes five ways of translating metaphors. 1- Strategy 1: Literal translation Explanation: Literal translation is used because of structural Parallelism in SL & TL The metaphor may be kept if the target language permits (that is, if it...

Translating Metaphors & Proverbs Larson summarizes five ways of translating metaphors. 1- Strategy 1: Literal translation Explanation: Literal translation is used because of structural Parallelism in SL & TL The metaphor may be kept if the target language permits (that is, if it sounds natural and is understood correctly by the readers) having the same structure in the TL. Parallel structure ‫الجدران شاهدة على فرحه و حزنه‬ The walls had witnessed his joy and sadness 2- Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. The stock SL metaphor can be replaced with a stock TL metaphor having a different vehicle. In the following excerpt in the translation of Mahfouz’s Trilogy Zanuba tells al-Sayyid that she does not understand him. The metaphor of being in two different valleys is used in the SLT to mean that the two speakers are different. She hid the smile his praise had inspired and pretended to be astonished as she said, “I absolutely do not understand what you mean. It’s clear that we’re mountains apart….” (Palace of Desire, p.101) The translators chose to change the metaphor. In English the idiomatic expression “worlds apart” means that people are different. But the translators use the word “mountains” to keep the atmosphere of the original metaphor. Page 1 of 9 3- Strategy 3: Literal translation with adding (like or as). Explanation: A metaphor may be converted into a simile (adding like or as) The river appeared heart broken as if clothed in sadness 4- Strategy 4: literal translation of a metaphor + paraphrasing it (addition) Explanation: SL metaphor has neither TL equivalence nor easily be understood by TL readers. 5- Strategy 5: Omission of SL metaphor and replacing it by its paraphrase (addition) Explanation: Translating SL metaphor may cause a misleading understanding for TL readers, so the meaning of the metaphor is translated without translating the metaphorical imagery He was about to feel sleepy Page 2 of 9 1.“Keep it under your hat” Translation‫ احتفظ تاألِش ٌٕفسه‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. The provided Arabic proverb is unrelated; the suggested translation matches the English idiom’s meaning of keeping a secret. 2. “Not worth a damn” Translation‫ ِا ٌسىاش تصٍح‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor.Both idioms express worthlessness using different cultural references. 3. “Keep your nose out of other people’s business” Translation‫ ٌا داخً تٍٓ اٌثصٍح ولطشتها‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms mean not to interfere in others’ affairs, using culturally specific imagery. 4. “A posy from the beloved is a ruby” Translation‫ تصٍح اٌّحة خشوف‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms show that any gift from a loved one is invaluable. 5. “Every Jack has his Jill” Translation‫ وً فىي وٌٍها وٍاي‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms mean everyone has a suitable match. Page 3 of 9 6. “As like as two peas in a pod” Translationٍٓ‫ فىٌح والسّت ٔص‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms describe extreme similarity. 7. “Spill the beans” Translation‫ ِا ٌتثٍص فً تمه فىٌح‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms mean revealing a secret, using metaphorical language. 8. “Know the ropes” Translation‫ عشف اٌفىٌح‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms mean understanding the details or being experienced. 9.Idioms with the word “ ( ”‫ابن‬son): “Mr. Right” → ‫اتٓ حالي‬: Refers to an ideal or suitable person. “One of good breeding” → ‫اتٓ أصىي‬: Refers to someone well-mannered or honorable. “Nice fellow” → ‫اتٓ تٍذ‬: Refers to a kind-hearted person. “Happy-go-lucky” → ‫اتٓ حظ‬: Describes a carefree person. “A good sort” → ‫اتٓ حالي‬: Implies someone decent or trustworthy. “A man of whims” → ‫اتٓ ساعته‬: Describes someone unpredictable. “Made for the job” → ‫اتٓ واس‬: Refers to a skilled or qualified person. “Jokester” → ‫اتٓ ٔىتح‬: Refers to someone humorous. “Born businessman” → ‫اتٓ سىق‬: Refers to a savvy or street-smart individual. Page 4 of 9 Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. All these idioms demonstrate direct cultural matches, adapting the phrase “ ”ٓ‫ات‬to English equivalents. 10.Idioms with the word “ ( ”‫ يا‬exclamation): “Bloody hell” → ‫ٌا خثش اسىد‬: Expresses shock or frustration. “How cute” → ‫ٌاختً عٍٍها‬: Shows admiration or affection. “Dear me” → ً‫ٌا خشات‬: Expresses worry or dismay. “What a dead loss you are” → ‫ٌا خٍثته‬: Indicates disappointment. “You dumb ox” → ُٕ‫ٌا تجُ ٌا ص‬: Insults someone’s intelligence. “Big deal” → ً‫ٌا فشحت‬: Expresses sarcasm. Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. These idioms rely on emotional tones and exclamatory structures for equivalence. 11. “Sweat like a pig” Translation‫ ٌتصثة عشلا‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Direct equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms describe profuse sweating, referring to a universal experience. 12. “When pigs fly” Translation ‫فً اٌّطّص‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms express impossibility using absurd metaphors. Page 5 of 9 13. Literal and Non-Literal Meanings of Idioms: “Break the ice” Literal: ‫اوسش اٌثٍج‬ Non-Literal: ‫اٌطشٌك‬/‫ِهذ األِىس‬ Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. In English, it refers to easing tension; the literal meaning isn’t used. “He looks blue” Literal: ‫ٌثذو أصسلا‬ Non-Literal: ‫ٌثذو حضٌٕا‬ Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Blue symbolizes sadness in English, not color. “He is a black sheep” Literal: ‫هى خشوف أسىد‬ Non-Literal: ‫هى ضخص سٍئ األخالق‬ Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. A black sheep signifies a family outcast or troublemaker. “He is in the clouds” Literal: َ‫هى فً اٌغٍى‬ Non-Literal: ٓ‫هى ضاسد اٌزه‬ Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both idioms imply daydreaming or distraction. These idioms highlight differences between direct and figurative language, showing how cultural connotations change idiomatic meaning. Page 6 of 9 14. “After a storm comes a calm” Translation‫ إْ ِع اٌعسش ٌسشا‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. The English proverb is replaced with a Quranic verse for deeper cultural resonance. 15. “He’s this lion’s cub” Translation‫ ران اٌطثً ِٓ هزا األسذ‬: Strategy 1: Literal translation Explanation: Literal translation is used because of structural Parallelism in SL & TL. The metaphor is kept, showing the child inheriting strength or character from the parent. 16. “The son of the goose is a good swimmer” Translationَ‫ اتٓ اٌىص عىا‬: Strategy 1: Literal translation Explanation: Literal translation is used because of structural Parallelism in SL & TL. The meaning is directly understood in English, referring to inherited skills. 17. Tomorrow we’ll sit beside the wall and hear the noise Translation‫ تىشج ٔمعذ جٕة اٌحٍط ؤسّع اٌضٌطح‬: Strategy 1: Literal translation with Cultural Explanation Explanation: Literal translation is used because of structural Parallelism in SL & TL. The words describe waiting passively, but the figurative meaning is “waiting to see how events unfold.” 18. “Birds of a feather flock together” Translation‫ اٌطٍىس عٍى أضىاٌها تمع‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. The English proverb directly matches the Arabic, emphasizing shared traits. Page 7 of 9 19. “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” Translation‫ عصفىس فً اٌٍذ وال عطشج عٍى اٌطجشج‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both proverbs value what is already secured. 20. “The shoe-maker’s wife is ill-shod” Translation‫ تاب إٌجاس ِخٍع‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both proverbs highlight neglect of personal responsibilities despite expertise. 21. “What must be, must be” Translationٍٓ‫ اًٌٍ ِىتىب عٍى اٌجثٍٓ الصَ تطىفه اٌع‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. Both proverbs convey the inevitability of fate. 22. “Like mother, like daughter” Translation‫ اوفً اٌجشج عٍى فّها تطٍع اٌثٕت الِها‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL Cultural equivalence. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. The English proverb reflects familial resemblance, matching the Arabic. Page 8 of 9 23. “Don’t abuse the kindness of a friend” Translation‫ إْ واْ حثٍثه عسً ِا تٍحسىش وٍه‬: Strategy 5: Interpretative translation …Omission of SL metaphor and replacing it by its paraphrase (addition) Explanation: Translating SL metaphor may cause a misleading understanding for TL readers, so the meaning of the metaphor is translated without translating the metaphorical imagery. The meaning is clarified as “Don’t take advantage of generosity.” 24. “There is always a way” Translation‫ وً عمذج وٌها حالي‬: Strategy 5: Interpretative translation …Omission of SL metaphor and replacing it by its paraphrase (addition) Explanation: Translating SL metaphor may cause a misleading understanding for TL readers, so the meaning of the metaphor is translated without translating the metaphorical imagery. The English equivalent captures the Arabic meaning naturally. 25. “Once bitten, twice shy” Translation‫ اًٌٍ اتٍسع ِٓ اٌطىستح ٌٕفخ فً اٌضتادي‬،ٍٓ‫ ال ٌٍُذغ اٌّشء ِٓ جحش ِشت‬: Strategy 2: Deletion of SL metaphor and Replacing it by TL equivalence with cultural addition. Explanation: Literal translation cannot keep the atmosphere of the TL original metaphor. The English version matches the meaning, but the Arabic addition adds humor and may need explanation. Page 9 of 9