The Dialectic of Rhythm and Expression in the Translation of Classical Arabic Poetry into Classical Persian Poetry

Abstract

Focusing on the translation of classical Arabic poetry into Persian classical poetry, this article examines the interactions that take place between the expressive construction and the rhythmic construction of poetry in this type of translation in order for the translation product to convey both the content of Arabic poetry and simulate its classical poetic form. The questions are as follows: In this type of translation, what are the effects of the interaction between expressive construction and rhythmic construction on the relationship between Persian poetry and Arabic poetry? After studying some examples of translations by analytical-descriptive method, it is concluded that in this type of translation, rhythmic construction occurs in Persian poetry independent of Arabic poetry; due to the observance of rhythmic requirements, the expressive construction of Persian poetry often distances itself from the expressive construction of Arabic poetry. Also, sometimes Persian poetry differs from Arabic poetry in the way of arranging speech in the form of verses; the relationship between Persian poetry and Arabic poetry in terms of expressive construction is realized if the expressive changes in the translation were understandable and in line with the transfer of the themes of Arabic poetry, and rhyming often causes expressive changes in the translated product. Finally, there are three dominant tendencies in this type of translation: formal re-creation, dynamic re-creation, and free re-creation.

Keywords

• poetry translation
• classical arabic poetry
• classical persian poetry
• poetry expression
• rhythm of poetry