aliasghar shahbazi
Abstract
In line with the common culture of its time, there are structures and phrases within Nahj-al-Balagheh that might occasionally be bizarre to the reader, especially the use of such phrases ...
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In line with the common culture of its time, there are structures and phrases within Nahj-al-Balagheh that might occasionally be bizarre to the reader, especially the use of such phrases by a holy (Ma’asoum) person; particularly, the transference of these phrases to another culture in the field of translation is considered a significant challenge; bearing in mind that the translation of these compounds might place the reader in an impasse due to the existing culture gaps and the potential ambiguities. These phrases, similar to several independent compounds like proverbs and quips, are semantically in connection with other constituents of the text, and quite expressive of the social structure and culture of Imam Ali’s time. In the study at hand, along with the categorization of such phrases, efforts have been done to meticulously analyze their annotative and connotative implications in a number of significant translations. The present study claims that execrations in Nahj-al-Balagheh are not limited to particular frameworks of remonstrance; because the belittlement or the description of unfavorable human characteristics have been nominally associated with names and characteristics of animals, which itself necessitates attention to the style, historical roots, ways of use etc. in their translation; considering the fact that merely being content with their literal translation, at bay from their connotations and their cultural charge brings about ambiguities.
Keywords: Nahj-al-Balagheh, translation, Execration structures, connotation.
