This study investigates the translation of sociocultural expressions found in a Libyan novel written by Ibrahim al-Koni. Data collection involved reading an annotated printed copy of the source text (ST), then manually extracting relevant sociocultural terms found within it.
As Lefevere (1992a) notes, translators are agents who alter literature by adding or subtracting words and phrases from existing text. Such manipulation can take various forms; examples include:
Cultural equivalence
Culture-specific words or phrases do not always translate directly to other cultures, an issue known as cultural untranslatability. When creating translations for new target audiences, this needs to be taken into consideration when translating text that should be accurate both linguistically and culturally. One approach involves using ethnosemantic procedures aimed at extracting words that represent specific domains such as self or selflessness, ordering them according to predefined dimensions, analyzing their meanings, and using word association techniques in order to identify any associated behaviors or behaviors.
Study of Cultural Equivalence has long been an area of research interest, with literature expanding and new methods developed to assess cultural equivalence being constantly devised and refined. Although research on this subject has advanced over time, much room remains for advancement and growth in this area of inquiry.
There are various theories on translation equivalence, and most scholars emphasize its role in their studies. Catford (1988) defines it as the replacement of textual material in one language with equivalent textual material in another; furthermore linguistic factors which affect translation equivalence include elements that exist at both concrete form and abstract meaning levels of any chunk of language.
Cultural equivalence is an essential factor when designing psychological tests, to ensure they can be validly administered across cultures. This is particularly true when measuring complex constructs such as quality of life or disability in society participation; to do this successfully requires an in-depth knowledge of both its cultural context and unique concepts from another culture that require translation.
But many issues related to medical or scientific translation remain difficult to resolve, particularly because medical terminology can be so specific. Furthermore, cultural differences in medical terminology may impede translations into other languages and result in misinterpretations of test results and misreporting of data.
Borrowing
Borrowing is a translation technique where a word or phrase from one language is transferred into another language, generally when they don’t already exist in it. While borrowing can help convey cultural meanings more effectively than translation alone, there can still be issues associated with this practice; borrowing may result in mistranslations if it is used out of context or in another sense within its new target language; also it may cause issues with pronunciation and phonology.
Translators must have an intimate knowledge of both cultures for accurate translation of socio-cultural expressions between languages, especially when writing an intended message that doesn’t make sense to readers. But this can be challenging due to cultural and linguistic barriers between SL and TT that make communicating meaning difficult; hence translators must utilise appropriate translation techniques in order to produce texts which are accurate and understandable by readers.
This research examined 32 sociocultural expressions found in Al-Kawni’s novel The Bleeding of the Stone. Each expression was identified according to its linguistic and cultural meaning, then its translation into English was examined using House’s TQA model (1997; 1998). Results demonstrated several instances of mismatches caused by implicitation, literal translation techniques or borrowing/transliteration that may arise when comparing SL-TT comparisons.
These findings demonstrate the difficulty associated with translating sociocultural expressions from Arabic into English; however, there are ways of overcoming this challenge by first analyzing their lexical and cultural meanings before using suitable translation techniques.
Cultural translation requires an in-depth examination of a region’s history, social norms and values as well as collaboration with native speakers to gain a more accurate understanding of its language. Doing this will enhance your translation by making it more believable for readers in target languages – creating an exciting and rewarding experience! Practicing cultural translation can be both enjoyable and fulfilling experience!
Exoticism
Exoticism refers to how cultures perceive themselves relative to other cultures. This term first emerged during Europe’s Age of Enlightenment when nations explored distant corners of the globe and other cultures through exploration and trade routes; later it gained even more attention due to exotic products resulting from trade routes being brought into Europe through trade routes bringing exotic products. Europeans developed an appreciation of what was „other,” leading them to travel more extensively and seek knowledge about other cultures; also leading them down musical stereotypes which may often be detrimental and offensive.
Musicological scholarship presents various approaches for investigating exoticism. Most studies on this topic provide either a critical analysis of scholarly fields and concept analysis or chronological examples from Western music history; both can provide useful perspectives; however, both may lead to insufficient depth. Before choosing one or another approach for your own study, it is crucial that first consider its purpose before selecting an approach.
Studies of exoticism in music often focus on cultural encounters, specifically those involving race. European colonial engagement with North America resulted in depictions of Native American culture through music and dance that is then represented in Western art music compositions; two studies that explore this topic from different angles include Bloechl 2008 and Savage 1983, while other scholars have examined appropriation of indigenous musical traditions by American art music composers; these topics have also been examined in depth by Taylor 2007 and Locke 2009.
Recent scholarship has begun examining self-exoticism in music. This phenomenon occurs when musicians present themselves as exotic figures through composition and performance, usually to attract the interest of dominant majority audiences. Although most commonly found in the West, examples can now be seen elsewhere as well, including performers using Japanese kimono in Western nightclub performances.
Studies of exoticism in music have recently evolved to consider its place within postcolonial discourses and globalization processes, as well as how musicians define themselves relative to other cultures – for instance a Turkish Eurovision Song Contest participant may present herself as exotic to attract viewers; similarly composers may create musical cosmopolitanism by drawing upon sounds from diverse cultures to infuse their works with diversity.
Cultural transplantation
Cultural transplantation refers to the practice of moving culture from one country to another. This may take many forms, from language transfer to entire systems of beliefs and values being introduced into a different environment. While certain cultures can adapt better than others to their new surroundings, all have the capacity to be altered by them.
Recent work done by economists employing big data and modern computing power has demonstrated the critical role culture plays in national wealth. Garett Jones in his book The Culture Transplant demonstrated this fact by showing how cultural traits remain even after migrants arrive in their new countries, such as saving and trust attitudes from their home country that continue to impact national life decades or centuries after arrival – rendering full assimilation impossible in only two generations or so.
Jones’ earlier books, Hive Mind and 10% Less Democracy, displayed a lack of scholarly rigor that is apparent in The Culture Transplant. It is particularly disappointing that he chose not to discuss Singaporean immigration policy – an exemplar of good governance and economic efficiency that could create millions of guest workers to provide much needed labor in America.
