THE VISIBLE TRANSLATOR: IDENTIFYING NORMS IN THE TRANSLATIONS OF EDWARD SAID’S ORIENTALISM

Abstract

ABSTRACT


A sizable number of studies have examined various aspects of translation norms. Yet, these studies mainly focus on the theoretical aspect of norms, while neglecting the complementary aspect. This thesis sets out to study the complementary aspect of norms. It builds upon Toury’s model of norms by providing a methodology to identify norms in Arabic translations. Norms are defined as the general values shared in a society regarding what is right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable. They should be understood as an explanatory tool, not simply as a prescriptive tool. Examining norms as an explanatory tool requires investigating the issue of the agency of the translator. Translators’ agency can direct the translation process and can also be led by norms dominating the culture in which translations are generated. This thesis examines the Arabic translations by Kamal abu Deeb and Mohammed Enani of Edward Said’s Orientalism. The cultural scene in the Arabic world, where the translations were produced, encompasses different ideologies that can be reflected in literary works, including translations. Additionally, in some regions, religion can play a guardian-like role as a point of reference upon which authorities rely to monitor different forms of cultural borrowings. This thesis exposes the influence of the norms driven by ideology and religion on the translations of Orientalism. It does so by applying a textual method, as suggested by Toury, which observes regular translational behaviour. This method relies on the pragmatic notion of implicature and Grice’s maxims of conversation to trace the changes in the meaning between the source and target texts.