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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Arts & Humanities |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2526941 |
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| author | Raja Lahiani |
| author_facet | Raja Lahiani |
| author_sort | Raja Lahiani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-80904366547b4d3a938b0abdcb2eda72 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2331-1983 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Arts & Humanities |
| spelling | doaj-art-80904366547b4d3a938b0abdcb2eda722025-08-20T03:50:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Arts & Humanities2331-19832025-12-0112110.1080/23311983.2025.2526941Beyond words: translating nonverbal communication in Arabic poetry a cultural turn approachRaja Lahiani0Languages and Literature, UAE University, Al Ain, UAEThis 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.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2526941Cultural turnnonverbal communicationkinesicsocculesicsliterary translationIntercultural Communication |
| spellingShingle | Raja Lahiani Beyond words: translating nonverbal communication in Arabic poetry a cultural turn approach Cogent Arts & Humanities Cultural turn nonverbal communication kinesics occulesics literary translation Intercultural Communication |
| title | Beyond words: translating nonverbal communication in Arabic poetry a cultural turn approach |
| title_full | Beyond words: translating nonverbal communication in Arabic poetry a cultural turn approach |
| title_fullStr | Beyond words: translating nonverbal communication in Arabic poetry a cultural turn approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond words: translating nonverbal communication in Arabic poetry a cultural turn approach |
| title_short | Beyond words: translating nonverbal communication in Arabic poetry a cultural turn approach |
| title_sort | beyond words translating nonverbal communication in arabic poetry a cultural turn approach |
| topic | Cultural turn nonverbal communication kinesics occulesics literary translation Intercultural Communication |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2526941 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rajalahiani beyondwordstranslatingnonverbalcommunicationinarabicpoetryaculturalturnapproach |