1st Edition

The Arabic-English Translator as Photographer A Linguistic Account

By Ali Almanna, Khaled Al-Shehari Copyright 2019
    158 Pages
    by Routledge

    158 Pages
    by Routledge

    By choosing to use different linguistic approaches as a theoretical basis of their study of translation as a process of picture-taking, The Arabic-English Translator as Photographer: A Linguistic Account offers readers an original view of the translator’s work.

    In addition to laying emphasis on the importance of giving full consideration to the mental image(s) conjured up in the mind of the translators, the book provides an accessible introduction to structural semiotics, interpretive semiotics, functional grammar, semantics and cognitive linguistics for students and researchers who are new to the field. The book can be used as a basis for (post)graduate students, especially students of MA and PhD in Translation Studies as well as students in modern languages schools.

    The book focuses on a specific pair of languages, English and Arabic, and presents the relationships generated by texts’ translation, including adverts and other types of texts, between these two languages.

    Contents

    Acknowledgements

    Note on Transliteration

    List of abbreviations

    Chapter 1: Setting the scene: introductory matters

    Who is the book for?

    Why is it different?

    Structure of the book

    Hypotheses & research questions

    Significance of the book

    Theoretical background

    Key technical terms

    Warming up exercises

    Further reading

    Chapter 2: Signs & syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes

    Semiotics

    Signified versus signifier

    Syntagms and paradigms

    Commutation test

    Key technical terms

    Exercises

    Further reading

    Chapter 3: Sign's functions & intertextuality

    Peirce’s interpretive semiotics

    Iconic function

    Indexical function

    Symbolic function

    Intertextuality

    Key technical terms

    Exercises

    Further reading

    Chapter 4: Transitivity system

    Transitivity

    Material processes

    Mental processes

    Verbal processes

    Behavioural processes

    Relational processes

    Existential Processes

    Circumstances

    Key technical terms

    Exercises

    Further reading

    Chapter 5: Semantic roles and energy transfer

    Arguments & types of semantic roles

    Verb-specific semantic roles

    Grammatical relations and semantic roles

    Energy transfer & mental contact

    Key technical terms

    Exercises

    Further reading

     

    Chapter 6: Imaging systems I: The configurational system

    Plexity

    State of boundedness

    State of dividedness

    Degree of extension

    Pattern of distribution

    Axiality

    Scene partitioning

    Key technical terms

    Exercises

    Further reading

    Chapter 7: Imaging systems II: attention, perspective & force dynamics

    Distribution of attention

    Force dynamics

    Deployment of perspective

    Location

    Distance

    Mode

    Direction

    Key technical terms

    Exercises

    Further reading

     

    Index

    Biography

    Ali Almanna has a PhD in Translation Studies from Durham University (UK) and MA in Linguistics and Translation from Westminster University (UK). Currently, he is the head of English department, Al-Zahra College for Women where he teaches Linguistics and Translation. His recent publications include The Routledge Course in Translation Annotation, Semantics for Translation Students and The Nuts and Bolts of Arabic-English Translation.

    Khaled Al-Shehari is Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He holds an MSc (1998) and a PhD (2001) in Translation Studies from the University of Manchester, UK. He has published articles in The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, Translation Studies in the New Millennium, and edited collections.

    "It is a useful book with clear definitions, practical examples, and insightful summary questions. It will be most welcome for those willing to ground their intuitions on translation on more solid linguistic foundations."

    Qing Cao, Durham University, UK

    "A masterful book that offers a rich, profound and distinctive study on translation. Invaluable and very practical for students, instructors and researchers who regularly deal with the translation of various kinds of texts between Arabic and English. Through relating linguistics to translation, the authors are shedding light on the multidimensional and interdisciplinary aspect of translation and on the fundamental dynamics that underlie the constant evolution of translation studies."

    Andree Affeich, Lebanese American University, Lebanon

    "The approach employed in The Arabic-English Translator as Photographer is novel and the application of the adopted theoretical concepts to explain the process of translation, as opposed to the traditional text-linguistic, discourse analysis or stylistic concepts, is challenging. The examples and explanations are quite appropriate and make life easier for the reader, be they learners, instructors or translators."

    Raymond Chakhachiro, Western Sydney University, Australia

    "The Arabic-English Translator as Photographer is ground breaking and presents innovation in the field of translation as it introduces a detailed description of the processes involved in creating the mental image translators conjure in their minds in the process of translating. The book serves as a thorough yet accessible introduction to structural and interpretive semiotics, functional and cognitive grammar, semantics and cognitive linguistics. Hence, it is a great resource for both students and researchers new to the field and scholars from neighbouring disciplines."

    Ruba Khamam, University of Leeds, UK