Through These Veins: Translation and Commentary

Abstract

This thesis investigates translation problems and strategies by carrying out an Arabic translation of a literary text taken from the novel Through These Veins, by Ann Marie Ruff, and by discussing the challenges and the decisions that were made to overcome difficulties. These challenges are associated with the translation of culture-specific terms, idioms, collocations, metaphors, similes and connotation; application of changes at the word level; and other challenges at text level-all of which are needed to achieve textual equivalence. These problems are discussed with reference to translation theories and strategies such as modulation and shift theory. The discussion is illustrated by examples taken from the chosen text along with the Arabic translations and a commentary that justify the decisions made. The most important conclusion with regards to the literary text translated and discussed here is the significance of providing a literary translation that deals appropriately with particular cultural aspects, especially in a language that has a long literary tradition.