Beyond words: translating nonverbal communication in Arabic poetry a cultural turn approach
This study addresses the challenges of translating culture-specific nonverbal communication in literature, focusing on the complexities of conveying rich kinetic-visual imagery across languages. By examining 18 English and French translations of a sample verse, the research aims to explore how trans...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
|
| Series: | Cogent Arts & Humanities |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2526941 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | This study addresses the challenges of translating culture-specific nonverbal communication in literature, focusing on the complexities of conveying rich kinetic-visual imagery across languages. By examining 18 English and French translations of a sample verse, the research aims to explore how translators handle kinesic and oculesic elements intrinsic to the source text. The comparative analysis reveals that while many translators struggle to convey cultural nuances, often simplifying or misinterpreting nonverbal cues, some successfully navigate these complexities. Factors such as chronology, interpretive choices, and domestication strategies significantly impact the translation process. The study’s findings underscore the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity in achieving effective literary translations, highlighting the need for translators to act as cultural mediators rather than mere linguistic converters. This research contributes to the field by demonstrating how varying approaches to translating nonverbal cues can significantly impact the preservation of a text’s cultural essence, thereby advancing our understanding of the intricacies involved in cross-cultural literary translation and emphasizing the translator’s role in bridging cultural gaps. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2331-1983 |