Translating Figurative Proverbs from Two Syrian Novels: Muftaraq al-MaṭarbyYūsuf al-Maḥmūd and Anājīl al-Xarāb by NaufalNayouf

Abstract

This paper studies the possibilities of translating a few figurative proverbs, mainly metaphorical, in the two Syrian novels Muftaraq al-MaṭarbyYūsuf al-Maḥmūd and Anājīl al-Xarāb by NaufalNayouf. It also showcases how to translate proverbs with phonic features such as alliteration, assonance and rhyme. This is done by taking examples from the aforementioned novels and examining these formal features before and after translating the selected proverbs. This research also reviews a few scholarly approaches to the translation of culture-bound items, metaphor and proverbs. It then focuses on implementing Toury's view on translating metaphor and shows how many proverbs have preserved metaphor, alliteration, assonance and rhyme in the target language (TL), and how many proverbs have lost these stylistic devices in the TL.