Azeri Turkish Research Articles

Monolingualism in Iran: The Politics of Writing in Azeri Turkish

Throughout the twentieth century, Azeri Turkish was intermittently banned, occasionally tolerated, but always marginalized in relation to Persian, which was perceived as the unifying, defining, essential language of the nation. Despite the substantial population of Azeri Turkish speakers in Iran—the largest linguistic minority—any attempt to teach the language publicly or to publish in Azeri Turkish has often been regarded, even to this day, as a highly political act of dissidence. Historical analysis of Azeri Turkish texts and a review of policies in language teaching, publication, and censorship within Iranian Azerbaijan reveal a symbiotic but simultaneously paradoxical interaction between this mother tongue and the official master language.

Spectrum of MECP2 mutations in Iranian Azeri Turkish Rett syndrome patients

Rett syndrome is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs mostly in females. De novo mutations in the MECP2 gene have an important role in the appearance of the features of this syndrome. We planned to study spectrum of MECP2 mutations in Rett syndrome patients and their clinical symptoms. A cohort of 29 patients referred by neurologists from Iranian Azeri Turks was screened. Then direct sequencing was utilized to characterize the spectrum of mutations in the MECP2 gene in Rett syndrome patients. A total of 10 different mutations on MECP2 gene were detected in 22 patients. We identified 2 (9%) frameshift, 10 (45.64%) nonsense, 8 (36.4%) missense mutations, and 2(9%) large deletions. In this cohort, one of the detected deletions was novel, namely 1023-1096del74nt. Random X chromosome inactivation in females’ cells and different MECP2 mutations can cause a phenotypic variability between patients. This is the first report regarding the spectrum of MECP2 mutation and phenotypic spectrum in Iranian Azeri Turks with Rett syndrome. Our finding confirms a high mutation frequency (75.8%) of MECP2 gene in Iranian Rett syndrome patients.

Morphological features of Ioseb Tsilosani’s book “New Dialogues”

Various works have been written recently in order to teach Turkish to foreigners. One of these work was written by Joseph Lazarevich Tsilossani, who was originally Georgian scientist. The title of the book comes “New Dialogues” In Russian, French, Turkish, Azerbaijani (Azeri Turkish) with Cyrillic Transcription of the Last Two Languages” ‹‹Новые разговоры на Российском, Французском, Турецком и Татарском языках с русским произношением двух последних››. In the book, the section “New Dialogues” is written in Russian and French in capital letters. Below them is shown in which languages the dialogues are written. In addition, the name of the book is given in Turkish with Arabic letters too. “New Dialogues” which is written in a type of dictionary is rich not only its vocabulary, but also with its grammatical diversity. As a result of phonetic, lexical and morphological analysis it can be said, that the dialogues in Turkish part belong to Anatolian Turkish North-Eastern dialects.

Speech sound acquisition in Azeri Turkish-speaking children in Iran

BackgroundCurrently no data exist on the acquisition of speech sounds in Azeri Turkish-speaking children in Iran. This investigation was conducted to describe phonological development in Azeri Turkish-speaking children. MethodsA total of 120 typically developing Azeri Turkish-speaking children within the age range of 3;0 to 4;11 years were recruited. They were asked to name pictures in the Azeri Turkish Speech Test and their productions were analyzed to determine consonant acquisition, Percentage of Consonants Correct (PCC), Percentage of Vowels Correct (PVC), and Whole Word Proximity (WWP) according to sex and age. In addition, PCC values in terms of consonant position in the syllable (syllable-initial and syllable-final), and manner of articulation were calculated. ResultsFor consonant acquisition, they mastered all consonants except [d, d͡z, t͡s, ʒ, v, ɟ] by 4;11 years of age. PCC values increased with increasing age (H(3)= 67.212, p <0.001). In terms of manner of articulation, PCC showed that nasals were most accurately produced and trill sound least accurate. The effect of sex on PCC values was not significant U (Nmales =60, Nfemales =60)= 1686.5, z = -0.600, p=.54). WWP values were also found to increase in older children H(3)=46.94, p<.001). Similarly, the effect of sex on WWP values was not significant U (Nmales =60, Nfemales =60)= 1782.5, z = -0.09, p=.92). ConclusionsChildren acquiring speech sounds in the Azeri Turkish language show some similar tendencies to children acquiring other languages but are also different. Findings of the present research describe phonological development in Azeri Turkish-speaking children, which has not been documented before.

A novel missense variant in ESRRB gene causing autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss: in silico analysis of a case

BackgroundHereditary hearing loss (HHL) is a common heterogeneous disorder affecting all ages, ethnicities, and genders. The most common form of HHL is autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL), in which there is no genotype–phenotype correlation in the majority of cases. This study aimed to identify the genetic causes of hearing loss (HL) in a family with Iranian Azeri Turkish ethnicity negative for gap junction beta-2 (GJB2), gap junction beta-6 (GJB6), and mitochondrially encoded 12S rRNA (MT-RNR1) deleterious mutations.MethodsTargeted genome sequencing method was applied to detect genetic causes of HL in the family. Sanger sequencing was employed to verify the segregation of the variant. Finally, we used bioinformatics tools and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) guidelines to determine whether the detected variant might affect the corresponding protein or not.ResultsA novel homozygous missense mutation, c.499G>A (p.G167R), was identified in exon 5 of the ESRRB (estrogen-related receptor beta) gene. Healthy and affected family members confirmed the co-segregation of the variant with ARNSHL. Eventually, the variant's pathogenicity was confirmed by the in silico analysis and the ACMG/AMP guidelines.ConclusionThe study suggests that the detected variant, c.499G>A, plays a crucial role in the development of ARNSHL, emphasizing the clinical significance of the ESRRB gene in ARNSHL patients. Additionally, it would be helpful for genetic counseling and clinical management of ARNSHL patients and providing preventive opportunities.

Development of a speech production test in Azeri Turkish speaking children

Due to the lack of appropriate tests for the assessment of speech sounds of Azeri Turkish speaking children, the present study aimed to develop and validate a single word test. A total of 150 typically developing children were recruited in the study (30 children for investigating the name agreement and 120 children to establish construct validity). In the first step, a test with 31 items was developed in terms of suggested criteria in the literature including word frequency, word length, syllabic structure, familiarity, and picturability of words. Then, we asked the expert panel’s opinion for the test items. The value of the content validity ratio for each target word was 1.00 except for one item. To administer the test, we asked the participants to name images. Name agreement of the items was determined through administrating the test. The percentages for the indices of name agreement were 87.68 and 0.17, respectively. The findings of the item-by-item test–retest and inter-rater reliability showed satisfactory values in terms of consonants in the initial and final positions. Also, the value of the internal consistency was calculated to be kr = 0.78 (p < 0.001). The psychometric properties of this scale with 31 items proved that it is appropriate for quantifying the speech sound production in Azeri Turkish typically developing children.

Persian words involved and their Semantic transformations in Azeri Turkish on both sides of the Aras River

زبان‌های ترکی آذری و فارسی از دیرباز واژه‌های زیادی را داد و ستد کرده‌اند. در این میان، بسامد وام‌واژه‌های فارسی در زبان آذری فراوان بوده و حوزۀ معنایی آن‌ها دگرگون شده است. در مقالۀ حاضر قصد داریم اولا تحولات حوزۀ معنایی واژه‌های قرضی فارسی در زبان آذری معاصر و ثانیا سهم تحولات معنایی واژه‌ها دو سوی ارس را بررسی کنیم. روش پژوهش توصیفی- تحلیلی و بر اساس انتخاب تصادفی و تکرارپذیری واژه‌ها است که طی مطالعۀ کتاب‌ها، مقاله‌ها، روزنامه‌ها و مشاهدۀ رسانه‌های دیداری جمهوری آذربایجان حاصل شده و گفتار مردم آذربایجان ایران نیز ملاک عمل بوده است. بر این اساس، نتایج آتی بدست آمد: از میان 22 واژۀ انتخابی، بیشتر واژه‌ها (12 مورد) دچار تخصیص معنایی شده و در زبان آذری معاصر مفهوم تازه یافته‌اند. برخی دیگر از آن‌ها (4 مورد) دایرۀ معنایی گسترده‌ای نسبت به اصل فارسی خود دارند. بعضی دیگر از کلمات دخیل (6 مورد)، از قاعدۀ جایگزینی واژه‌ها پیروی کرده‌اند. در این حوزه‌های معنایی، شرایط جغرافیای سیاسی مؤثر بوده و کاربرد واژه‌های دخیل در دو سوی ارس متفاوت از یکدیگر شده است. به طور کلی، سهم دخل و تصرف معنایی و بهره‌برداری از واژه‌های قرضی فارسی در زبان معاصر جمهوری آذربایجان به دلیل پویایی زبان در عرصه‌های ملی و بین المللی، بیشتر است.

Association study of the BDNF gene polymorphism (G196A) with overweight/obesity among women from Northwest of Iran

BackgroundObesity is a health problem defined by surplus body fat accumulation and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Earlier studies indicated the influence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) molecular alterations in the development of obesity. One of these variations is the G196A single nucleotide polymorphism (Val66Met; SNP rs6265), which impairs intracellular trafficking and reduces the secretion of BDNF. In this study, we evaluated the possible association of G196A polymorphism of the BDNF gene with body mass index (BMI) among women from the Iranian Azeri Turkish ethnic group. Four hundred eighty-four women including 343 women with obesity or overweight and 141 age-sex and ethnically matched healthy controls were genotyped for G196A SNP of BDNF gene by applying polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) method. The association of this polymorphism with BMI was evaluated using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and the comparison of alleles and genotypes frequencies between patients (obese and/or overweight participants) and healthy controls was carried out using logistic regression models.ResultsIndividuals carrying Met-Met genotype have a significantly lower mean of BMI in comparison to those carrying non-Met/Met polymorphisms (P = 0.0138).ConclusionsIn this study, the association of the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene with BMI as an obesity trait has been confirmed among the women from the Northwest of Iran.

Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Three Candidate Homozygous Variants in a Consanguineous Iranian Family with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Skeletal Problems

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by 3 core symptoms with impaired social communication, repetitive behavior, and/or restricted interests in early childhood. As a complex neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), the phenotype and severity of autism are extremely heterogeneous. Genetic factors have a key role in the etiology of autism. In this study, we investigated an Azeri Turkish family with 2 ASD-affected individuals to identify probable ASD-causing variants. First, the affected individuals were karyotyped in order to exclude chromosomal abnormalities. Then, whole-exome sequencing was carried out in one affected sibling followed by cosegregation analysis for the candidate variants in the family. In addition, SNP genotyping was carried out in the patients to identify possible homozygosity regions. Both proband and sibling had a normal karyotype. We detected 3 possible causative variants in this family: c.5443G>A; p.Gly1815Ser, c.1027C>T; p.Arg343Trp, and c.382A>G; p.Lys128Glu, which are in the FBN1, TF, and PLOD2 genes, respectively. All of the variants cosegregated in the family, and SNP genotyping revealed that these 3 variants are located in the homozygosity regions. This family serves as an example of a multimodal polygenic risk for a complex developmental disorder. Of these 3 genes, confluence of the variants in FBN1 and PLOD2 may contribute to the autistic features of the patient in addition to skeletal problems. Our study highlights the genetic complexity and heterogeneity of NDDs such as autism. In other words, in some patients with ASD, multiple rare variants in different loci rather than a monogenic state may contribute to the development of phenotypes.

Reliability and validity of Azeri Turkish version of geriatric depression scale.

Background: In older adults, depression symptoms may be masked by physical complaints and be even attributed to the natural aging process, which may be resulted in improper diagnosis. Native-language scales can be highly effective in the detection of depressive disorders. In this study we attempted to assess the reliability and validity of the Azeri Turkish version of the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Methods: In this psychometric study, the GDS and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV(SCID) questionnaires were administered to a sample of 387 older adults (60 years and older)from the member households of Tabriz health centers. The English version of GDS was translated into Azeri Turkish. Translation-back translation process was conducted. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, as well as sensitivity and specificity, were used to determine the validity of the questionnaire, and the test-retest method was used to calculate reliability. Results: The mean age of participants was 69.30. The area under the ROC curve for the scores higher than five was 0.832 and for the scores equal to ten and above was 0.871. The sensitivity and specificity for the scores higher than five were 90.9% and 73.4%, respectively. The reliability of this scale was confirmed based on intraclass coefficient (ICC) = 0.79. Conclusion : The Azeri Turkish version of GDS was found with appropriate levels of validity and reliability.

Karyotypic abnormalities and molecular analysis of Y chromosome microdeletion in Iranian Azeri Turkish population infertile men

ABSTRACTInfertility is one of the major health-threatening problems in communities which may lead to psychological problems among couples. Y chromosome abnormalities and microdeletions have recently been considered as one of the male infertility factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate different chromosomal disorders and azoospermia factor b (AZFb), AZFc and AZFd microdeletions in idiopathic non-obstructive oligo or azoospermia infertile men. One hundred infertile (78 azoospermia and 22 oligospermia) and 100 fertile men were included in this study. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were evaluated by electrochemiluminescence. Karyotyping was performed according to standard methods and interpreted using the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISHCN) recommendation. For Y chromosome microdeletion analysis, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using STS primers. Higher FSH (24.32 ± 15.32 versus 8.02 ± 3.37, p < 0.0001) and LH (14.97 ± 8.26 versus 5.42 ± 2.73, p < 0.0001) were observed in infertile patients compared to their fertile counterpart. Additionally, 14% of infertile patients exhibited abnormal karyotype. The frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions in azoospermic and oligospermic patients was 32.05% (25/78) and 0% (0/22), respectively. Additionally, in azoospermic patients, the highest microdeletion frequency was related to the AZFc region (80%). Our data indicate the presence of chromosomal changes in the most infertile men, suggesting karyotype and molecular analysis of Y chromosome microdeletions for genetic counseling before assisted reproduction.Abbreviations: ART: assisted reproductive technology; AZF: azoospermia factor; DAZ: deleted in azoospermia; FCS: fetal calf serum; FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; LH: luteinizing hormone; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; SRY: sex-determining region Y; STS: sequence-tagged sites

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Gene Expression in PBMCs of Iranian Azeri Turkish Patients with Premature Coronary Artery Disease (Age ≤50 Years)

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of disability and mortality in Iran and worldwide. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a key role in inflammatory cascades and atherosclerosis. It regulates cytokine networks and adhesion molecule expression, and activates several signal transduction pathways, being also known as transducer of cardiovascular diseases, especially premature coronary artery disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression in Iranian Azeri Turkish patients with premature coronary artery disease (age ≤50 years). Eighty four individuals (42 cases and 42 controls) were enrolled in the study. Total RNA was extracted from patients with premature coronary artery disease using RNX-Plus Solution (Cat. No.: RN7713C) and reverse transcribed into cDNA. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA expression level was evaluated using Real-Time PCR. The mean ± SE of fold in cases and controls were 1.1±1.08 and 1.6±3.4, respectively. The mean expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA (fold) was not statistically different between the tested groups (P value 0.4). Our outcome failed to find evidence for any association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA expression and premature coronary artery disease. Large scale, more detailed studies are further needed to prove our results and to propose other mechanisms in the pathophysiology of premature coronary artery disease.

Analysis of the mutations in exon 10 of MEFV gene in patients with premature coronary heart disease in west Azerbaijan province of Iran.

Introduction: Premature coronary heart disease (PCHD) affects public health and leads to death. PCHD has several genetic and environmental risk factors. The aim of this study was to analysis of the mutations in exon 10 of MEFV gene in patients with PCHD in West Azerbaijan province of Iran. Methods: Totally 41 PCHD patients who were admitted to the cardiology unit of Sayedoshohada hospital (Urmia, Iran) enrolled in the study. Selection of the patients was done based on the strict criteria, that is, who had a minimum of one angiographically documented coronary artery with the stenosis of 50%. Mutations in exon 10 of MEFV gene were found by direct sequencing. Results: V726A, M680I, K695R, and A744S mutations with 2.44%, 1.22%, 1.22%, and 1.22%, allelic frequency were found, respectively. Five patients (12.2%) with PCHD carried at least one mutated MEFV allele. Heterozygote V726A was the most frequent mutation among tested cases (4.88%), followed by heterozygote M680I, heterozygote K695R, and heterozygote A744S. Conclusion: The results of the present study imply that the frequency of the MEFV gene exon 10 is significantly high in PCHD patients. This is the first report in its own kind in clinically diagnosed PCHD pa­tients of Iranian Azeri Turkish population.

The effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) polymorphisms on recurrent abortion in Azari women.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a heterogeneous condition consisting of three or more consecutive abortions before the 20 weeks of gestation. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene plays a crucial role in immunology and inflammation responses. Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) is an important anti-inflammatory molecule which plays important roles in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of TNF-α and IL-1Ra polymorphisms on RPL in Azari women. The study participants consisted of 100 women with RPL from Iranian Azeri Turkish origin. The control group comprised 100 age and ethnically matched healthy women in the reproductive age. Genomic DNA was extracted from the whole blood and genotype determinations were performed using PCR amplification followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. No significant association was indicated between IL-1Ra and RPL among Iranian Azeri Turkish women. Unlike the homozygous state, significantly higher frequency of -857 C/T variant was seen in RPL patients than control subjects. Significantly lower frequency of wild type genotype was observed in RPL patients than of controls. Any association was found between the other TNF-α polymorphisms and RPL. TNF-α -857 C/C variant might represent protective effect against RPL and the -857 C/T variant might be a genetic risk factor for the occurrence of RPL. Invariant differences in the prevalence of -511 C/T and -31 C/T polymorphisms and IL-1RN VNTR between RPL patients.

Autistic Phenotype of Permutation and Intermediate Alleles of FMR1 Gene

Background: Mutations in gene are the most common single genetic cause of autism-spectrum disorders, therefore we investigated the possibility that the intermediate alleles may also contribute to the origin of Autistic disorder. Methods: We screened 96 males, recruited from North West of Iran, who were diagnosed with autistic disease for CGG repeat size. The frequencies of either intermediate or premutation alleles were matched with 168 male controls. All patients and normal controls were of Azeri Turkish ethnicity. Results: Three mutated, five intermediate and four premutation carriers were identified among Autistic patients, compared with one premutation carrier in normal controls, representing a significant excess in small size FMR1 allele carriers (= 0.006). There was also a significant excess of the intermediate carriers compared with normal controls (= 0.006). Conclusions: Both of these alleles may show roles in the etiology of autism, possibly as a result of the rise of mRNA. Considering that there are individuals in the general population are carriers of intermediate and premutation alleles, further screening of larger samples of Autism patients is recommended, in order to estimate the role of small size of CGG repeat alleles in the aetiology of autism.

Genetic pattern of cystic fibrosis patients in Azeri Turkish population

Objective ― This study was designed to analyze the genetic pattern of cystic fibrosis and effects on age, sex and mortality in the Azeri Turkish population in Iran. Material and Methods ― This study was a descriptive study that was conducted for cystic fibrosis patients in Azeri Turkish population in Iran from 2001 to 2014. Of 331 patients, the spectrum of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations in 263 patients was reviewed. Demographic and genetic data of patients were summarized by descriptive analysis as frequency, percentage, mean and median. Results ― The frequency consanguineous marriages was 196 (59.2%) positive and 135 (40.8%) negative with a significant difference (P=0.001). We identified 32 known mutations and 74 kinds of genotypes. The most common mutation and genotype were ∆F508 138 (26.2%) and ∆F508/ ∆F508 41 (15.5%), respectively. The most mortality rate had observed in ∆F508 genotypes. Conclusion ― These findings indicate high frequency of consanguinity marriage in this area. A low frequency of the ∆F508 mutation and detection 32 mutations reflect a heterogeneous spectrum of the mutations in this ethnic group. Further examinations are necessary on CFTR gene and affect these items on on age, sex and mortality.

Molecular analysis of glycogen storage disease type Ia in Iranian Azeri Turks: identification of a novel mutation

Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are caused by abnormalities in enzymes that are involved in the regulation of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. GSD I, an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder, is the most common GSD and has four subtypes. Here, we examined GSD Ia caused by the defective glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic (G6PC) gene. We investigated the frequency of GSD Ia and clarified its molecular aspect in patients with the main clinical and biochemical characteristics of GSD, including 37 unrelated patients with a mean age of three years at the time of diagnosis. All patients belonged to the Azeri Turkish population. Hypoglycaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia were the most frequent laboratory findings. Mutations were detected by performing direct sequencing. Mutation analysis of the G6PC gene revealed that GSD Ia accounted for 11% in GSD patients with involvement of liver. Three patients were homozygous for R83C mutation. In addition, a novel stop mutation, Y85X, was identified in a patient with the typical features of GSD Ia.

Association study of CTLA-4 +49A/G gene polymorphism with recurrent pregnancy loss in the Iranian Azeri Turkish ethnic group.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as two or more pregnancy losses. T-regulatory cells play an important role in the feto-maternal interface. Cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is a molecule that downregulates the activation and proliferation of T cells. The objective of the current study was to investigate the possible association of CTLA-4+49A/G gene polymorphism with RPL among patients from the Iranian Azeri Turkish ethnic group. The study group/patients consisted of 101 women with the experience of two or more pregnancy losses and the control group consisted of 101 women with at least two live births, without any previous history of pregnancy loss and autoimmune diseases from the same ethnic group. The CTLA-4+49A/G was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms assay. The distribution of CTLA-4+49A/G genotype was AA, 38.61%; AG, 51.48%; GG, 9.9% in patients and AA, 37.62%; AG, 47.52%; GG,14.85% in controls (P-value: 0.2). Furthermore, no association in G-allele was observed in the patient and control groups (P-value: 0.5). The results of the present study suggest that CTLA-4 does not have any association with RPL in the Iranian Azeri Turkish ethnic group.

Polymorphisms of Promoter Region of TNF-α Gene in Iranian Azeri Turkish Patients with Behçet's Disease.

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a complex chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. Alterations of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) expression related to the polymorphic alleles of TNF gene may implicate a pathogenetic role in increased activity of this cytokine in BD. A current study aimed at investigating the possible association between BD and its clinical features in Iranian Azeri Turks with two functional TNF-α gene polymorphisms (at the positions of -238 and -857). A total number of 166 Iranian subjects were enrolled into two different groups; patients with BD (n = 64), and ethnically matched healthy controls (n = 101). The genotype distributions of BD patients and healthy controls were determined. The frequency of TNF-α -857C allele was significantly higher in Behçet’s patients than that of healthy controls (P = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 2.616; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.129–6.160), whereas the frequency of TNF-α -238A allele was similar in both groups. The sole TNF-α haplotype-857C-1031C, was associated with an increase in the risk of developing BD. The TNF-α -857C allele was considerably associated with BD in this cohort. The findings of this study, collectively, indicate that TNF-α -857C-1031C haplotype located in the promoter region of the gene could exert major influence on the susceptibility to BD.

Literary Translation, Translating Culture: The Case of Shahriyar, the Famous Iranian Azeri Poet

A literary translation is a device of art used to release the text from its dependence on prior cultural knowledge (Herzfeld, 2003). The present research investigates the use of pragmatic equivalence in two translations of the Azeri Turkish long poem "Haydar Bābāye Salām" by "Shahriyar". Based on Koller’s theory of equivalence (2001) four elements were assigned for the pragmatic equivalence: 1) domestication rather than foreignization, 2) naturalness of the expressions, 3) focus on target-text reader, and 4) content-based product. Thirty six stanzas from the initial, middle and final part of the poem were selected and then their two translations were analyzed according to the aforementioned elements. Moreover, based on Newmark’s model (1988) it is also investigated that whether a translation with all the four elements of pragmatic equivalence is a good one or not. According to Newmark’s model (1988) three markers of a good translation are: 1) utilization of pragmatic equivalence, 2) naturalness, and 3) not sounding like a translation. The results suggest that a translator who has utilized all the elements of pragmatic equivalence is also successful in reproducing a better translation for the target language readers. Keywords : Equivalence theory, Literary translation, Poetry translation, Pragmatic equivalence