Translating Personification in Prophetic Hadith into English

Abstract

Personification is a universal linguistic phenomenon commonly used in Arabic and English to add aesthetic values to the text. As a type of figuration, personification is problematic in translation, especially in religious texts. This study deals with the rhetorical device of the Prophetic Hadith and its rendition in English. It hypothesizes that literal translation is not always appropriate as far as personification is concerned. Additionally, the vivid image implied in personified objects cannot be preserved by translators. On this basis, the study attempts to review and analyze (10) texts including personification (namely parts of the animate body organs) along with (2) renditions for each to examine and determine the suitable technique(s) in terms of ‘possibility’ and ‘necessity’ suggested by Newmark in addition to other theorists. One of the key results of this paper is that a personifying expression is not employed haphazardly in the Prophetic Hadith; rather, it implies effective means and impressive hints. Hence, special addressing is needed in translation, considering conveying meaning at the expense of form if necessary.