07.01.2013 Views

Iv - University of Salford Institutional Repository

Iv - University of Salford Institutional Repository

Iv - University of Salford Institutional Repository

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

STATEMENT OF QUALITY<br />

As I have said earlier, 'equivalence' will be the main criterion<br />

for judging the quality <strong>of</strong> translation. Equivalence will not be<br />

confined to lexical equivalence, it will subsume structural, semantic,<br />

and contextual equivalence. Such is the basic characteristic <strong>of</strong><br />

adequate translation.<br />

The comparison <strong>of</strong> ST and TT along the lines suggested by the model<br />

has shown some mismatches on the lexical and structural levels which<br />

could prove detrimental to the meaning <strong>of</strong> the text. They are listed in<br />

the following:<br />

(a) Johnson-Davies's use <strong>of</strong> 'savage' (line 20) to replace Salih's<br />

s mutamarris' (line 15) is a lexical mismatch. The adjective<br />

'expert' would be a better replacement. On the other hand, 'buzz<br />

and whirr' (line 21) match the sound symbolism (onomatopoeia) <strong>of</strong><br />

the Arabic onomatopoeic verbs 'yatinn' 'vazinn' Air ( 1 ine<br />

16). The phrase "God curse all sand-flies" (line 23) does not<br />

structurally or semantically correspond to the Arabic original.<br />

(line 17) A better and more tellingly, equivalent phrase would be<br />

'I wish all sand-flies were killed'.<br />

(b) The translator's expression "not enamoured <strong>of</strong> walking" (line 31) is<br />

both irksome and unfamiliar. Besides, it does not convey the<br />

meaning <strong>of</strong> the original. (line 24) A more meaningful replacement<br />

175

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!