This paper is an attempt at investigating the relationship that occurs between the translator and the writer. It aims at revealing how the translator works within the conditions of cognitive factors, such as interpretation, intention & context, and how or even why the target text comes to have its final version. However, T.S. Eliot’s Journey of the Magi and its translation into Arabic are chosen here as the data of this study. The Arabic translation is made by Badr Shakir As-Sayyab published in his book, entitled Selected Pomes of the Modern World Poetry. However, this translation will be gauged in terms of natural cognitive factors that affect the translator during the process of translation.
Besides, The model of Analysis is proposed by Louise Cummings in his article entitled Theory of mind in utterance interpretation (2015: 100-112), cited in Airenti, Cruciani & Plebe (eds.) (2017). Two hypotheses have been included in this regard. First, since the translator has the control to manipulate, interpose, and recreate the text, he might become the writer of that text. Secondly, the linguistic repertoire (choices) and decisions made by the translator may be affected in terms of the cognitive factors mentioned above.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review: The Interrelation between the writer vs. the translator
2.1. The Relation between the Writer & Translator
2.2. Factors Influencing the Work of the Translator
2.2.1. Interpretation
2.2.2. Intention
2.2.3. Context
3. Methodology
3.1. Research Design & Data Collection
3.2. Reliability of Data Source & Model of Analysis
3.3. Text Data
3.4. Data Analysis & Results
3.5. Discussion of the Study
4. Conclusions
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This study investigates the complex professional relationship between writers and translators, specifically examining how cognitive factors influence the translation process. The research aims to determine the extent to which a translator exercises creative authority and whether they function as a co-author of the target text by analyzing the translation of T.S. Eliot’s "Journey of the Magi" into Arabic by Badr Shakir As-Sayyab.
- The role of the translator as an active, creative participant in the literary process.
- The influence of cognitive factors: interpretation, intention, and context.
- The application of the "Theory of Mind in Utterance Interpretation" to translation studies.
- The translator's authority and decision-making process in shaping the target text.
- Comparative analysis of linguistic choices and cultural symbols in literary translation.
Excerpt from the Book
3.4. Data Analysis & Results
Taking the context (the cultural context) into consideration, As-Sayyāb renders the first five lines of the poem without giving them any special position, though they are put between two quotation marks in the original. He probably found it unnecessary to make these lines distinct from the rest of the poem so that not to confuse the target language reader who is not acquainted with the part of the Anglican Christian tradition and that part of the English culture.
However, The original poem has many Christian symbols, such as: the “three trees” [4th line, 2nd stanza], symbolizing the three crosses of Calvary on which Christ was crucified along with two other men (Ricourt, 2016: 130). “six hands…dicing” [7th line, 2nd stanza] symbolizes the six Roman guards who played dice over Christ’s clothes (McNabb, 2014: 287). These symbols are not culture–bound, at least not in the eyes of ’As-Sayyāb who is well–known for his frequent use of Christian (Biblical) allusions in some of his own poems.
Focusing on the language being used in the source text, Eliot uses various words in his poem to refer to the places that the Magi have come by in their journey. He states: cities, towns and villages [see 14th and 15th lines, 1st stanza]. As-Sayyab, in his turn, translate these words into المدن , الدساكر and القرى respectively. The language Eliot uses in this poem is very simple and the words are very common, and ’As-Sayyāb does the same thing in his target text. But the word مدن cannot be used to render both “cities” and “towns”, especially when they are both used in the same line. For this reason, ’As-Sayyāb chose the infrequent word الدساكر to stand for towns, which are smaller in size than cities.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the core notions of "writer" and "translator" and establishes the research questions regarding the translator's authority and cognitive engagement.
2. Literature Review: The Interrelation between the writer vs. the translator: This section explores the theoretical connection between source text creators and translators, discussing factors like interpretation, intention, and context.
3. Methodology: This chapter outlines the research design, detailing the selection of T.S. Eliot’s poem and the adoption of Louise Cummings' "Theory of Mind in Utterance Interpretation" as the analytical framework.
4. Conclusions: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that the translator acts with authority equivalent to that of the writer, influenced by cognitive factors during the decision-making process.
Keywords
Translation, Cognitive Factors, Translator, Writer, Interpretation, Intention, Context, Literary Translation, Badr Shakir As-Sayyab, T.S. Eliot, Journey of the Magi, Textual Manipulation, Authority, Target Text, Cultural Symbols.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper investigates the professional and cognitive relationship between the original writer and the translator, focusing on the translator's agency and decision-making.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The themes include the limits of translator authority, the impact of cognitive factors like interpretation and context, and the concept of the translator as a writer.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to reveal how cognitive factors affect a translator's "pictorial perspective" and how they manipulate a source text to produce a target version.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The researcher uses a qualitative case study method, analyzing the Arabic translation of T.S. Eliot's "Journey of the Magi" through the lens of Louise Cummings' "Theory of Mind in Utterance Interpretation."
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body examines the specific translation choices made by As-Sayyab, comparing them to the original text in terms of cultural symbols, linguistic register, and thematic emphasis.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Translation, Cognitive Factors, Translator, Writer, Interpretation, and Textual Manipulation.
How does the author define the "pictorial perspective" of a translator?
It refers to the translator's internal cognitive process and vision, which dictates how they interpret, prioritize, and re-create images and meanings from the source text within the new target culture.
Does the study conclude that translators are writers?
Yes, the study concludes that the translator functions as an equal to the writer, exercising significant authority to manipulate and recreate text for a new target audience.
How is the concept of "actualization" relevant to this study?
Actualization is presented as the reader's (and translator's) unique interaction with the text, which explains why no two translations are identical.
Why was T.S. Eliot's "Journey of the Magi" chosen as the data source?
The poem was selected because its rich imagery and thematic depth provide a clear, practical basis for observing how a translator handles complex interpretation and intention.
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- Prof. Dr. Qasim Obayes Al-Azzawi (Autor:in), Abdul-Haq Abdul-Kareem Abdullah Al-Sahlani (Autor:in), 2021, The Translator's Pictorial Perspective. A Case Study of the Cognitive Factors Lied Upon the Translator, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1023663
