Spatial Imagery in Translation: The Case of Rose Garden of Sa'di

Abstract

This study investigates the way spatial situations are coded in the Persian Masterpiece "Rose Garden" written by Sa'di. In addition, as the manner in which they are adopted in translation is crucial for retaining the original spatial focus of meaning, this study concentrates on one of the English translations done by Edward Rehatsek (2000). In order to fulfill the purpose, spatial prepositions as smallest segments which could evoke the spatial point of view without requiring any other spatial-notion participants were detected in data and their spatial specifications were analyzed on the basis of their occurrence environment in Rose Garden. Lexicalization patterns of movement verbs as largest constituents that delineate spatial dimensions were extracted as well. Then, their translation counterparts were studied in order to determine in what forms the original spatial concepts were displayed in translation. Findings revealed that spatial prepositions in Rose Garden, in most cases, were alternatively used so as to convey more than one spatial meaning, so did English prepositions replaced in translation. Three lexicalization patterns designed for movement verbs were grouped under three categories as well on the basis of their demanding requirements including intransitive motion verbs, spatial prepositional phrases and transitive motion verbs. Same Patterns were replaced in translation, however with some degree of distinction.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n4p255