Literary Translation Tools
Literary Translation Tools
Ms. Aljawharah Al-harbi held a lecture entitled “Literary Translation Tools” at KSU University for translation students. She discussed the concept of literary translation, how it varies among other kinds of translation, and why it is considered as one of the most difficult translations. “Literary translation is remarkably acknowledged for having similes and aesthetics belonging to a specific culture, which requires meaning shift and transferring aesthetics to the target culture if possible”, said Al-harbi at the beginning of her talk.
Al-harbi mentioned some strategies utilized in literary translation. They are as follows:
01. Metaphor (الاستعارة):
When you use a metaphor, you make a statement that does not literally make sense. For example, “Time is thief.” Time is not actually stealing from you but this conveys the idea that hours or days, sometimes, seem to slip by without you noticing.
Metaphor only makes sense when the similarities between the two things compared are apparent or understood by the connection between the two words.
Examples include:
The world is my oyster.
You’re a couch potato.
America is a melting pot.
02. Simile (التشبيه):
A simile also compares two things. However, similes use the words “like” or “as”.
Busy as a bee.
Brave as a lion.
My mouth was dry as a bone.
03.Personification (التشخيص):
Personification gives human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, or ideas. This can really affect the way the reader imagines things. Personification is often used in poetry, fiction, and children’s rhymes.
Examples include:
Opportunity knocked at his door.
The sun greeted me this morning.
The vines wove their delicate fingers together.
04.Hyperbole (المبالغة):
It is an outrageous exaggeration that emphasizes a point. It tends towards the ridiculous or the funny. Hyperbole adds color and depth to a character.
You snore louder than a freight train!
You could’ve knocked me over with a feather.
05.Symbolism (الرمزية):
Symbolism occurs when a word has its own meaning but is used to represent something entirely different.
Examples in everyday life:
Using the image of the American flag to represent patriotism and a love for one’s country.
Using chalkboard to represent education.
و رسم الأطفال وردة بجانب أسم الأم أو المعلمة للتعبير عن الحب.
06.Alliteration (الجناس):
Alliteration is a sound device. It is the repetition of the first consonant sounds in several words.
We’re up, wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to awaken.
Betty bought butter but the butter was bitter, so Betty bought better butter to make the bitter butter better.
أو كما نقول بالعامية: بطتنا بطت بطتكم...
In this strategy, the translator aims at matching the rhyme by changing letters, nonetheless, it is not necessary since each language has its own sound system. Thus, alliteration may not be always achieved.
07.Onomatopoeia (المحاكاة الصوتية):
It is a sound device which words sound like their meaning, or mimic sounds. They add a level of fun and reality to writing.
The burning wood hissed and crackled.
Sounds of nature are all around us. Listen for the croak, caw, buzz, whirr, swish, hum, quack, meow, oink, and tweet.
Bang: دوي, صوت انفجار
08.Allusion (الإشارة):
A device used to make reference to something other than what is directly being discussed.
“chocolate was her Achilles’ heel”. This means that her weakness was her love of chocolate. Achilles is a character in Greek mythology who was thought to be invincible. His mother dipped him in magical water when he was a baby, and she held him by the heel. So his heel was the only part of him not protected the magic.
Al-harbi remarked that a translator should not spend a quite long time understanding and analyzing the text because it leads to mistranslation. In addition, the translator has the right to omit any vocabulary found in the text if it does not change the meaning. Moreover, the translator has to put target languages into consideration while rendering a text, so his/her work will become easier.
Al-harbi also recommended two sites for those who prefer literary translation:
-Translation Device: A site devoted to literary translation and its tools.
http://literary-devices.com
-Hindawi Foundation: A site for literary works and their translations.
https://www.hindawi.org
Summarized by; Rahaf Al-abdullateef
First edited : Reef Alhjjy
Second Edited: Dr. Dawlat Nadhrahh
