Evaluating Poetic Translations: A Comparative Analysis of Selected English Translations of Rahman Baba

Ayesha Orakzai scholar; Shahab Aziz Arman

Ayesha Orakzai scholar, Researcher Educationist
Shahab Aziz Arman HED

Keywords: Key words: Domestication strategies, Pakhtoons, target-text oriented translation.

Abstract

Abstract: The study aims to undertake a comparative analysis of two English translations of Rahman Baba, the poet of Pakhtoons. The basic aim of the research is to ascertain the degree to which each translation has done justice to Rahman Baba’s work. The research is primarily qualitative in nature. An in- depth analysis of five randomly chosen poems (out of Jens Enevoldsen’s selection) has been carried out. The analysis has basically been done in the light of Dastjerdi et al model of translating poetry. All the poems have been analyzed on two levels: textual level and extra textual level in accordance with the model Additionally L.Venuti’s two types of translation strategies: domestication vs foreignization have been looked at in the translations... The results show that Jens Enevoldsen (albeit with good intention) has tried to smooth out the text by using target text oriented translation to make it more accessible to the intended Western reader by using domestication strategies. He has sacrificed the essence of Rahman Baba’s poetry. Robert Sampson and Momin Khan, on the other hand have tried to help the non-native reader to imagine a culturally different space and time by using foreignization strategies. While both translations could not preserve the form of the text. In Jen Enveldson’s translation the content has also been compromised.

References

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