A comparative study of figurative language translation in Traibhumikatha

Abstract

This research is a qualitative study aimed at investigating the translation strategies applied to the figurative language and cultural items by the National Team for Anthology of ASEAN Literatures and by Frank E. Reynolds & Mani B. Reynolds The results showed that the figurative language in Traibhumikatha consists of simile, hyperbole, and personification. Both groups of translators mainly opt for literal translation in most cases. In the translation of hyperbole, Frank E. Reynolds and Mani B. Reynolds are found to use the strategies of conversion of source language (SL) figurative language into target language (TL) figurative language plus literal meaning and conversion of SL figurative language into literal meaning. As for the cultural items serving as the vehicle, the study found that the vehicle can be divided into four types of culture, namely ecological culture, material culture, social culture, and religious culture. The translation strategies adopted by the two groups of translators include 1) Literal translation 2) Generalization 3) Specialization 4) Use of a cultural substitute 5) Use of a descriptive phrase 6) Combined equivalence 7) Transliteration and 8) Modification. The two translations can convey the original content to TL readers but may be unable to fully communicate the author's ideas due to certain limitations, particularly cultural, temporal, and religious differences. The results of the study can be used as a guideline for translation of figurative language and cultural items.;