This paper attempts to compare different translation of the Poem 'Last Night’ by the famous Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. It has analyzed the poem from structural, semantic, and thematic perspectives. Translators who hail from different backgrounds have looked at the poem from different angles, thus it influenced the translating practice.
Table of Contents
1. Translating Faiz: Comparative Study of Translations of the Poem ‘Last Night’
1.1 Introduction to Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Translators
1.2 Comparative Analysis of ‘Last Night’ (‘Rat’)
1.2.1 Translation of ‘dil’ and ‘Khoi hui yaad’
1.2.2 Interpretation of ‘Veerana’ and ‘Chupke Se’
1.2.3 Semantic Analysis of ‘Bahaar’, ‘Sahraon’, and ‘Baade Naseem’
1.2.4 Challenges in Translating ‘beemar’ and ‘Qarar’
1.3 Conclusion and Reflection on Polyphonicity
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of various English translations of the poem 'Last Night' ('Rat') by the prominent 20th-century Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, examining how different translators navigate linguistic, cultural, and aesthetic challenges to capture the original's essence.
- Overview of prominent translators of Faiz's poetic works.
- Comparative lexical and semantic analysis of specific Urdu terms translated into English.
- Examination of the psychological and aesthetic nuances of memory and imagery in translation.
- Discussion on the challenges of maintaining polyphonicity across diverse linguistic interpretations.
- Critical reflection on the tension between Eurocentric perspectives and the original spirit of Urdu poetry.
Excerpt from the Book
Translating Faiz: Comparative Study of Translations of the Poem ‘Last Night’
Faiz Ahmed Faiz, prominent Urdu poet of 20th century, has been translated into different languages such as English, Russian and German etc. He is widely read through translation of his poetic works. His poems have been well rendered to English by translators, both native English and Indians or poets from subcontinent. Through my much long query to the translators of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, I came across numerous translators of his works. The list goes this like: Victor G. Kiernan, Imdad Hussain, Vikram Seth, Agha Shahid Ali, Daud Kamal, Khalid Hassan, Sarvat Rahman, Kushwant Sing, Noami Lazard and Shiv K. Kumar.
Victor G. Kiernan was the first who translated Faiz into English. His translated word titled ‘Poems by Faiz,’ follows a distinct method; after giving original text in Urdu, he provides his own thoughtful translation and then translated them in literal language too. Agha Shahid Ali through his “The Rebel’s Silhouette’’ rendered Faiz in an elaborated, free and loose translation, so that he avoided word for word translation while some other translators were grappling with literal translation. Shiv K. Kumar’s translation merges between rhythmic identity and emotional identity of each poem he did for translation from Faiz Ahmed. Curiously enough, Kumar and Faiz have shared common cultural and linguistic heritage, as both hail from Lahore and have Punjabi taste. And both have been Eliotean perception in their poetic career.
Summary of Chapters
1. Translating Faiz: Comparative Study of Translations of the Poem ‘Last Night’: This chapter introduces the poet, lists key translators, and begins a comparative analysis of the poem 'Last Night' by evaluating how different translators render the original Urdu text into English.
1.1 Introduction to Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Translators: This section provides a historical overview of the reception of Faiz Ahmed Faiz in the West and lists the diverse group of translators who have worked on his poetic oeuvre.
1.2 Comparative Analysis of ‘Last Night’ (‘Rat’): This section delves into the specific linguistic challenges posed by the poem 'Last Night', focusing on how translators interpret the title and recurring motifs.
1.2.1 Translation of ‘dil’ and ‘Khoi hui yaad’: This subsection explores the specific challenges of translating spiritual and psychological concepts, particularly the nuanced imagery of memory and the 'I'ness associated with 'dil'.
1.2.2 Interpretation of ‘Veerana’ and ‘Chupke Se’: This part examines the transformations of concrete and abstract meanings in the translation of desert imagery and the subtle actions depicted in the poem.
1.2.3 Semantic Analysis of ‘Bahaar’, ‘Sahraon’, and ‘Baade Naseem’: This section evaluates how seasonal metaphors and atmospheric elements are reconstructed across different English versions of the poem.
1.2.4 Challenges in Translating ‘beemar’ and ‘Qarar’: This part addresses the ambiguity inherent in grammatical cases and interpretive choices regarding sickness and peace in the poem.
1.3 Conclusion and Reflection on Polyphonicity: This chapter summarizes the findings, highlighting the difficulty of homogenizing Faiz's polyphonic voice and the ongoing tension between original aesthetics and target language constraints.
Keywords
Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Urdu Poetry, Translation Studies, Comparative Literature, 'Last Night', 'Rat', Polyphonicity, Literary Translation, Cultural Heritage, Semantic Nuance, Poetic Imagery, Linguistic Interpretation, Eurocentrism, Memory, Aesthetic Habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper focuses on a comparative analysis of various English translations of the poem 'Last Night' by the renowned 20th-century Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The themes include the translation of cultural and spiritual concepts, the psychological aspects of memory, the semantic challenges of Urdu poetry, and the reception of non-Western literature in English.
What is the central research question?
The research explores how different translators, with varying cultural backgrounds and methods, interpret and render the complex polyphonic nature of Faiz's poetry into the English language.
Which scientific method is employed?
The study uses a comparative textual analysis method, examining specific lines and keywords from the original Urdu poem against multiple English translations to identify stylistic and interpretive differences.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body systematically analyzes key terms such as 'dil', 'veerana', 'bahaar', and 'baade naseem', comparing the creative choices made by translators like Kiernan, Agha Shahid Ali, and Shiv K. Kumar.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Translation Studies, Polyphonicity, Urdu Poetry, Cultural Heritage, and Literary Interpretation.
How do translators handle the ambiguity of the word 'beemar'?
Translators interpret the term variously as 'sickness', 'someone sick', or 'dying patient', illustrating the difficulty of capturing the specific emotional and grammatical nuance of the original Urdu.
Why is 'springtide' considered a significant translation for 'bahaar' by Shiv K. Kumar?
It is significant because it captures both the seasonal aspect and the metaphorical meaning of a refreshing tide in the desert, demonstrating a high degree of linguistic search for the right expression.
- Quote paper
- Muhamed Riyaz Chenganakkattil (Author), 2016, Translating Faiz Ahmed Faiz. A comparative study of translations of the poem "Last Night", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/346437
