Challenges in Translating Faiz Ahmad Faiz into English: A Comparative Study of Agha Shahid Ali and Shiv K. Kumar
Shabeer Ahmad Shah
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23584769
Abstract: This paper examines the challenges involved in translating the poetry of Faiz Ahmad Faiz into English by Agha Shahid Ali and Shiv K. Kumar. Through a close comparative analysis of select poems, the study explores how each translator negotiates linguistic, cultural and ideological elements embedded in Faiz’s poetry. The paper explores differences in translation strategies, including literal versus interpretive rendering, preservation of poetic form and handling of socio-political nuances. Drawing on translation theories such as Linguistic theories, cultural theories, domestication and foreignization, the study argues that each translator constructs a distinct version of Faiz, thereby reshaping his poetic voice for different readerships. The analysis highlights the complexities of translating Urdu poetry into English and contributes to ongoing debates in translation studies and Urdu literary criticism.
Keywords: Translation, Urdu Poetry, literary translation, culture, domestication, foreignization
Works cited
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Dr. Shabeer Ahmad Shah is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at The Royal Group of Colleges, Barowal, Mansa, Punjab, India. He holds a PhD in English and an M.Phil in English. His academic interests include Translation Studies, Urdu Poetry, and Literary Criticism. He has published several research papers in reputed national and international journals.
Email: shahshabir993@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0061-6168
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
