Research Article

Translating the archaic: Ottoman Turkish expressions in English

Number: Ö11 July 21, 2022
  • Selen Tekalp *
TR EN

Translating the archaic: Ottoman Turkish expressions in English

Abstract

This study deals with how archaic language in İhsan Oktay Anar’s Kitab’ül Hiyel is handled in English translation. Archaic expressions refer to words or phrases which are no longer in everyday use. In Kitab’ül Hiyel, archaism standing out as the outcome of the author’s stylistic choices prevails as a stylistic component. Translating style is one of the most challenging tasks that a translator faces due to the linguistic differences between languages. In this paper, a descriptive translational analysis is pursued to evaluate whether the translator keeps the local color by making a stylistically-aware translation or the ruling archaism becomes neutralized in the target text. This is important in its aim to demonstrate the attitude of translators towards stylistic elements. Archaic expressions were chosen as samples because they have rarely been the subject of research in translation studies. They can also be associated with history to a great extent. Taking into account Turkish culture, archaic expressions used in literature are generally traced back to the Ottoman Empire, for they are regarded as a significant part of old Turkish or Ottoman Turkish. When their historical quality is considered, their translation requires certain knowledge about the source culture and history. Throughout the comparative analysis, archaic expressions in parallel texts were examined in the light of these translation strategies: softening, transcription or borrowing, and stylistic compensation. The result of the analysis will contribute to the stylistic and cultural discussions about literary translation.

Keywords

References

  1. Akatlı, F. (1999). Osmanlıya Romandan Bakmak. Kitap-Lık, 38, 175–184.
  2. Anar, İ.O. (1996). Kitab-ül Hiyel. İletişim Yayınları.
  3. Anar, İ. O. (2019). The Book of Devices. (G. Key, Trans.). Kup. (Original work published 1996)
  4. Baker, M. (2000). Towards a Methodology for Investigating the Style of a Literary Translator. Target. International Journal of Translation Studies, 12(2), 241–266. Baldick, Chris. (2001). The concise Oxford dictionary of literary terms. Oxford University Press.
  5. Boase-Beier, J. (2006). Stylistic approaches to translation. St. Jerome Pub.
  6. Bosseaux, C. (2007). How does it feel? point of view in translation the case of Virginia Woolf into French (Issue 29). Rodopi.
  7. Collins (n.d.). Basilisk. In Collins dictionary. Retrieved May 5, 2020, from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/basilisk
  8. Develi, H. (2001). Osmanlı Türkçesi kılavuzu (3rd Ed., Issues 1–2). Bilimevi.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Linguistics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Selen Tekalp * This is me
0000-0002-3050-3835
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 21, 2022

Submission Date

June 16, 2022

Acceptance Date

July 20, 2022

Published in Issue

Year 2022 Number: Ö11

APA
Tekalp, S. (2022). Translating the archaic: Ottoman Turkish expressions in English. RumeliDE Dil Ve Edebiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi, Ö11, 735-744. https://doi.org/10.29000/rumelide.1146765
AMA
1.Tekalp S. Translating the archaic: Ottoman Turkish expressions in English. RumeliDE. 2022;(Ö11):735-744. doi:10.29000/rumelide.1146765
Chicago
Tekalp, Selen. 2022. “Translating the Archaic: Ottoman Turkish Expressions in English”. RumeliDE Dil Ve Edebiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi, no. Ö11: 735-44. https://doi.org/10.29000/rumelide.1146765.
EndNote
Tekalp S (July 1, 2022) Translating the archaic: Ottoman Turkish expressions in English. RumeliDE Dil ve Edebiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi Ö11 735–744.
IEEE
[1]S. Tekalp, “Translating the archaic: Ottoman Turkish expressions in English”, RumeliDE, no. Ö11, pp. 735–744, July 2022, doi: 10.29000/rumelide.1146765.
ISNAD
Tekalp, Selen. “Translating the Archaic: Ottoman Turkish Expressions in English”. RumeliDE Dil ve Edebiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi. Ö11 (July 1, 2022): 735-744. https://doi.org/10.29000/rumelide.1146765.
JAMA
1.Tekalp S. Translating the archaic: Ottoman Turkish expressions in English. RumeliDE. 2022;:735–744.
MLA
Tekalp, Selen. “Translating the Archaic: Ottoman Turkish Expressions in English”. RumeliDE Dil Ve Edebiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi, no. Ö11, July 2022, pp. 735-44, doi:10.29000/rumelide.1146765.
Vancouver
1.Selen Tekalp. Translating the archaic: Ottoman Turkish expressions in English. RumeliDE. 2022 Jul. 1;(Ö11):735-44. doi:10.29000/rumelide.1146765