An Analysis of the Role of Linguistic Formations and Cultural Domains in the Translation of Metaphorical Combinations (From the Perspective of Cognitive Linguistics)

Abstract

Paying attention to contextual, cultural, and cognitive limitations in translation as a multi-dimensional process is of particular importance and the analysis of language formations from this perspective will have a significant impact on improving the quality of translation. Since cognitive structures determine the desired conceptual content through the formation of conceptual categories, it is essential to examine these metaphors as one of the most widely used language formations that play a significant role in inducing the concepts and ideas of any language. The present research aims to discuss the meaning load of each of these metaphors and how to translate them equally or unequally, while examining examples of conceptual metaphors in Persian, Arabic, and English, using the analytical-comparative method. The results indicate that the conceptual metaphors in the above-mentioned languages are culture-based and are formed according to the lived experiences of the speakers of these languages and they have had a significant impact on the conceptualizations. Therefore, the translation that is considered to convey the meaning of the expressions must be an unequal translation and in accordance with the culture and lived experiences of the speakers of the target language. Consequently, in general, it can be said that paying attention to cognitive categories in translation and conceptualizing the message based on the intellectual and cultural foundations of the source and the target language leads to a correct understanding of the worlds of meaning in the two languages and, accordingly, provides a suitable translation. Based on this, the translator, without forcing himself to be balanced in the translation, should transfer the concepts according to the system of knowledge, epistemology, culture, and worldview of the target language.

Keywords

• cognitive linguistics
• culture
• conceptual metaphor
• translation