Literary Translation and Cultural Challenges: JhumpaLahiri's The Namesake

Sura M Khrais

doi:10.7575/aiac.ijclts.v.5n.1p.80

Abstract

This paper discusses how the nature of literary translation differs from other forms of translation by looking at practical difficulties and challenges notable in the Arabic translation of Lahiri's novel The Namesake (2003). The difficulties discussed are cultural differences which have created “untranslatable” cultural-bound words and phrases, as well as specialized vocabulary. The paper explores the conflict between the translator's duty to accuracy and his/her duty to literary translation as an art form. One problem faced by the prose-translator is finding terms in his or her own language that are faithful as much as possible to the meaning of certain words in S.L. For example, there are words which describe specific rituals or those related to typical architecture, fabrics, and cookery; these and many others represent the specific culture of the original text and the translator needs to be careful when translating them. The researcher finally suggests that there is a need to expand the perimeters of translation studies specially those dealing with literary prose because the translators and researchers lay more emphasis on the translation of poetry.

Highlights

When the written work of one language is recreated in another, the translator faces many challenges, which require bold and creative steps on his/her part to introduce an illegible text in the target language (T.L.)
One of the most common challenges to the literary translator is cultural anomaly, that is, when an equivalent word does not exist in the T.L. and that word may have a host of cultural connotations which are not part of the Target culture as well
Edwar Sapir (1956) claims that human beings are at the mercy of the language that has become the medium of expression for their society and culture

Summary

Introduction

When the written work of one language is recreated in another, the translator faces many challenges, which require bold and creative steps on his/her part to introduce an illegible text in the target language (T.L.). The difference in culture between the source language (S.L.) and the target language (T.L.) may result in a confusing reading and an ambiguous translation. It is normal that the source and receptor languages may possibly represent very different cultures that may include many basic themes and descriptions, which cannot 'naturalize' by the process of translating (105). A good literary prose translation shows that language has a communicative purpose and societal and cultural flavors that distinguish the Source Text. Walter Benjamin(1968) describes "cultural difference" which is a problematic issue in translation as "the irresolution, or liminality, of 'translation', the element of resistance in the process of transformation, 'that element in a translation which does not lend itself to translation'" (75) In this context, a straightforward word-for-word substitution. Bhabha's words reflect the translator's impossible mission when the earlier says: "each cultural naming represents the impossibility of crosscultural identity or symbolic synapses; each time there repeats the incompletion of translation" (130)

The Problem Statement

Discussion

A Hebrew word which refers to a Jewish ritual also appears:

Conclusion