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Article published In: Babel
Vol. 67:4 (2021) ► pp.418–439

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On translating Emily Brontë’s style in Wuthering Heights into Arabic

 | The Hashemite University
Published online: 16 July 2021
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00231.muh
Abstract
Translating Emily Brontë’s (1818–1848) Wuthering Heights (1847) into Arabic is a complex and multifaceted task. This paper explores the challenges involved in this task by discussing distinctive features of Brontë’s style and their counterparts in Mamdouh Haqqi’s Arabic translation of the novel. Stylistic features under focus include lexis, figurative language, and structure. As for Brontë’s lexis, it intricately knits elements like characters, setting, and themes. To take their readers to the unpredictable world of Wuthering Heights, translators try to find Arabic equivalents suggesting the associations and connotations of the Source Text (ST) style. Among the obstacles translators need to overcome are lexical gaps, as some lexicalized thoughts and experiences in English have no lexicalized equivalents in Arabic. Resorting to paraphrases may result in sacrificing the compactness of the source text (ST) and losing some shades of meaning. Further complications result from dealing with figurative language. Conveying Brontë’s imagery, personifications, and references to abstract notions in terms of material objects requires thoughtful consideration. Furthermore, the structure of Brontë’s language significantly expresses characters’ attitudes and other subtle traits. Less vivacious translations are expected when the function of expressions in the ST eludes translators’ attention. Throughout the discussion, suggestions are made to provide readers of the text in Arabic with better access to the ST. At the same time, the researcher acclaims Haqqi’s translation which reflects a considerable effort to make a landmark of English/world literature accessible to Arab readers.
Résumé
La traduction en arabe des Hauts de Hurlevent par Emily Brontë représente une tâche complexe et multiple. Cet article explore les défis de cette entreprise à travers la discussion des caractéristiques du langage d’ Emily Brontë et son équivalent dans la traduction en arabe de Mamdouh Haqqi. Les éléments du style envisagé regroupent : le lexique, le langage figuratif et la structure. Le lexique de Brontë combine des éléments comme les personnages, le cadre ainsi que les thèmes. Afin de conduire leurs lecteurs au monde surprenant des Hauts de Hurlevent, les traducteurs tentent de trouver les équivalents arabes en suggérant ces différentes associations et connotations. Parmi les obstacles que les traducteurs doivent franchir l’on peut trouver des ruptures lexicales, au vu du fait que certaines expressions lexicales et expériences en anglais ne possèdent pas d’équivalents lexiques en arabes. Le recours à la paraphrase peut cependant avoir pour effet de sacrifier le caractère compact du texte source ainsi que la perte de certaines nuances. D’autres complications peuvent résulter de l’usage du langage figuratif. En effet, rendre les personnifications et les références à des notions abstraites en termes d’objet matériels, exige une grande attention. D’autre part, la structure du langage de Brontë exprime de manière significative les attitudes des personnages ainsi que d’autres traits subtils. Cependant, l’on peut faire face à des traductions moins vivantes lorsque la fonction des expressions dans la langue source échappe à l’attention des traducteurs. Tout au long du papier, des suggestions sont fournies afin de donner aux lecteurs du texte en arabe un meilleur accès à la langue source. Malgré cela, l’auteur loue la traduction de Haqqi qui représente un effort considérable pour rendre un chef d’œuvre de la littérature anglaise accessible aux lecteurs arabes.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Definition of style and its significance in translation
  • Emily Brontë’s style in Wuthering Heights
  • Strategy and its significance
  • Translation issues in Haqqi’s Arabic rendering of Wuthering Heights
  • Conclusion
  • References
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