The Cultuling of" Insult" in My Uncle Napoleon and English Equivalents: A Corpus-Based Study

مطالعات زبان و ترجمه

Article 2, Volume 53, Issue 4, February 2021, Pages 31-59   

Document Type: Research Article (Language and Culture)

DOI: 10.22067/lts.v53i4.86546

Authors

Masoumeh Mehrbi^{* 1}; Behrooz Mahmoodi Bakhtiari²

¹Department of Linguistics and TEFL, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd. Iran

²Department of Performing Art, Fine Art, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Given the significance of cultural considerations and cultural categories in determining appropriate translation equivalents, this paper discusses the cultuling of ‘insult’ based on Iraj Pezeshkzad’s My Uncle Napoleon translated by Dick Davis into English and the original Persian version of the novel where there can be found so many linguistic segments containing or conveying insulting connotations. Cultuling refers to those pieces of language which are the manifestation of cultural concepts since language is the representation of culture, and it is also bounded by culture. The investigation of insults just like cursing and swearing are common issues in language and culture, especially when considered in two languages. That is the real motive for conducting the present inquiry, and more importantly, perfect translation needs cultural knowledge. As for the research methodology, Del Hymes’s (1967) SPEAKING model as a discourse/ qualitative method as well as frequency effects as the quantitative method were employed. Applying this methodology, the speakers’ motivation for the use of insults is found in this culture. Moreover, the cultural differences leading to and manifested in linguistic differences are discussed. Meanwhile, strategies for appropriate equivalents were laid out. The results are of use and value for the entrenchment of the cognitive-cultural views of translation studies as well as socio-cultural studies of linguistic issues. The data analysis shows that these insults form around the pivotal centers of animals, body part, human characteristics, personality traits, human behavior, dignity, honor, reputation, originality and dependence to family. The results show that sexual(nāmūsi) insults are more frequent for which the cultural explanations were offered.

Keywords

Culture; Translation; Cultuling; Hymes; My Uncle Napoleon

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