Abstract:
Lexical items play a key role in both language in general and translation in
particular. Likewise, equivalence is a controversial concept discussed so widely in translation studies. Some theorists deem it to be fundamental in translation theory and define translation in terms of equivalence.
The aim of this study is to identify the problems of lexical gaps in two translations of Nahj al-balagha in order to look closely at what possible difficulties translators may undergo. It also seeks to explore the strategies applied accordingly. Some pieces of Nahj al-balagha and two English translations for them are selected, and religious items of the source text and also the strategies applied by the translators to transfer these items are extracted.
Machine summary:
Some pieces of Nahj al-balagha and two English translations for them are selected, and religious items of the source text and also the strategies applied by the translators to transfer these items are extracted.
Keywords: Lexical gaps, equivalence, religious items, conceptual strategies Introduction Language is a means of communication through which its speakers express their feelings and ideas.
What type of equivalence, target-oriented or source-oriented, is more proper to be produced in translating a religious text?
Below, we will review the theory of equivalence as interpreted by some of the most innovative theorists in this field, Vinay and Darbelnet (1958), Jakobson (1959), Catford (1965), Nida and Taber (1969), House (1977) and finally Baker (1992).
This theory of equivalence in translation seems to be much more flexible than its predecessors, like that of Catford, since it relates linguistic features to the context of both the source and the target text.
(Reza 2005, 566) We can see the differences in equivalents chosen by the two translators in the following table: First translation infuse love animal voracious be not in the face of them count as easy prey equal error catches deficiencies overcome intentionally by mistake evil deeds are committed by Second translation habituate affection beast greedy do not stand over them feel it is enough to devour like commit slips mistakes encounter willfully by neglect act wrongly In the process of transfer in translation, the translator must preserve the content of the message at any cost, because it is the meaning which is of prime importance.