connotation &animals

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INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS

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CULTURAL CONNOTATION OF ANIMALS IN TRANSLATION:

PROVERBS, IDIOMS, SAYINGS

(ENGLISH-PERSIAN)

Elaheh Jamshidian, MA, University of Isfahan

English Department, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Razieh Mohammadi

MA, University of Isfahan

Corresponding author: Elaheh Jamshidian

Abstract Since language is taken as the reflection of culture, the examination of it and the

culture- bound terms have always been considered of the most important parts in

translation studies; among such culture-bound terms, animal connotations play

significant roles. The present study aims at elucidating some of the similarities and

differences of the animal connotations in the proverbs, idioms, and sayings between the

two cultures of Persian and English. A further goal of the study is to analyze the

procedures applied by the translator(s) in translating such culture bound terms. To meet

the goals of the study, the following steps were taken; first, cultural correspondence

between the cultures was investigated, second, the strategies applied in translating the

culture bound terms were examined, and finally the similarities and differences between

the two cultures were shown. The results of the study revealed that the similarities arise

from the issue of the universality of concepts among languages and the linkage between

the two cultures, and the differences rooted in the historical, religious, and

environmental diversities.

Key words: Culture, Connotation, Correspondence, Translation Procedures

1. Introduction Culture has been studied and defined in many ways by scholars coming from various

disciplines. According to Taylor (1871), culture is the mixture of knowledge, belief, art,

morals, laws, customs and many other capabilities and habits in a society. This belief

is in line with what Robertson (1981) defines as all the shared products of

human society.

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One of the intertwining aspects of culture when studied is the issue of connotation.

Indeed, many culture bound terms are dug out and analyzed on the ground of their

connotative meaning. As defined by Slim Ali (2006), Connotation in language involves

the semantic or deep-structure of words, expressions and texts and is, therefore, strongly

related to literature and culture (para.6). Although connotation is very similar to the

literary and linguistic categories such as polysemy, metaphor and symbolism, it should

be distinguished from them and investigated differently (Salim Ali, 2006).

The fact that the life style is connected to the nature is undeniable. Indeed, a large part

of cultures is affected by nature and natural phenomena. Of the broadest culture bound

terms which acquire connotation are certain natural phenomena like colors, plants and

animals which everlasting proverbs, idioms and sayings stem from.

The present paper lays its focus on the connotations of animals, as they play an

important role in most of the people's sayings including proverbs and idioms. In other

words, this study sets out to compare and contrast the cultural connotations of animal

words in the proverbs, idioms and sayings of Persian and English and to look for the

reasons of similarities and dissimilarities.

2. Cultural connotation Connotation can be defined as "the extension of a sign's denotative signified to cover

new referential domain, if any referent in the new domains is recognizable by

association as possessing one or more of the conceptual nodes that define the sign"

(Danesi, 2000, p.109). To explain it differently, when it comes to the connotation, a

range of associated meanings are formed which are more important than the primary

meaning.

Cultural connotation of a word refers to”… the added meaning or the implied meaning

of a word given by the social background, and the special feelings conveyed among a

certain social group” (Sen, 2007, p. 5). Thus, the customs, religion, historical

background are of decisive factors determining the cultural connotation as they are

shared among the people of different cultures.

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Additionally, since animals have been always involved in people's lives, there are many

words concerning animals used when it comes to proverbs, idioms, and people's sayings

in different cultures. However, their connotative meanings might be similar or different

in different cultures reflecting similarities and dissimilarities lies in people's lives,

history, customs, and in other cultural perspectives.

2.1. Cultural correspondence As defined by Ghazala (2001) cultural correspondence is "the absolute identification of

an SL cultural term with another in the TL, both in function and description"(p.1). In

many instances also, the same animal has the same attribute and connotative meaning in

two different cultures. The cultural correspondence of animal words between the

English and Persian can be divided in to the following categorizations:

2.1.1. Absolute correspondence of cultural connotations

In some instance, the same animal words used in the proverbs, idioms, and sayings of

SL are found in that of TL no matter how much different the cultures are. The basis of

this similarity can be laid on the issue of cultural universality, the extent the people

around the world share their understanding of the world in which they live (Kövecses,

2005). To put another way, both the SL and TL use one single animal concept in a

particular proverb, idiom, and saying. Indeed that animal word has the same connotative

meaning in both cultures. The examples are as follows:

The proverb "the wolf in sheep's clothing / gurg dar libāsi-mīš/ " comes from the ema

ot n y ota English and Persian cultures. It applies to a person who hides malicious

intent under the guise of kindliness. The wolf's connotation in the both cultures is

negative and the sheep's is positive.

"Crocodile tears /aški-timsāḥ/ " is shared by many cultures as well as the Persian and

English. Based on the way crocodiles act when preying, this proverb was created. It

refers to the insincere show of sorrow or false tears of somebody in the both cultures.

The animal used for this hypocrisy is "crocodile" in both the English and Persian.

Another instance of absolute correspondence can be found in the proverb "Never look a

gift horse in the mouth /dandāni-asbi-pīškišī rā nimīšumārand/ " which means one

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should accept a gift graciously and gratefully, without criticizing the gift. The animal

word used in the both languages is "horse" since the value of a horse is o determined by

his age which, in turn, can be estimated by counting his teeth. Thus, counting a gift

horse is of no reason when it is a gift. The same proverb with the same meaning and the

same animal word is used in the both cultures

2.1.2. Partial correspondence of culture connotations

Although English and Persian languages are of the same family, their people are of two

different cultures. In some instances, the animal word used in the SL is different from

the animal word used in the TL although they have the same connotative meaning.

"To eat like a horse" is an idiom used for the act of eating a lot in the English culture.

Horse is the animal word of such idiom to give the image of eating a lot. The reason lies

in the fact that a horse is a large animal with a large appetite. The equivalent of the

idiom in Persian is to "eat like a cow / mithli-gāv xurdan/ " Although herd animals

including horses and cattle are always considered as the animals for a positive

connotation, in the above instance they give a negative image to the addressees.

However, eating like a cow /an ox is also found in the English culture, but the more

acceptable and frequent saying when it comes to the act of eating a lot is to eat like a

horse.

The idiom "like a cat on hot bricks" is used when a person is very nervous or excited.

What is interesting about such instance is its clarity for the speakers of other cultures

including the Persians, since the image and connotative meaning of this idiom is quite

clear. Despite the clear image of this idiom and its understandability by the Persian

speakers, it is not used in their culture. The animal word used by the Persians is 'fish'.

Indeed, when they want to express the state of nervousness for somebody they use the

idiom" like a fried fish in the pan". The difference of animal words does not block the

intercultural communication for the image and the connotative meanings in the both

idioms are the same. As "like a cat on hot bricks" is understandable by Persian speakers,

"like a fried fish in the pan" is for the English speakers.

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Cat got your tongue in English and / mūš zabānat rā xurdi/ in Persian are other

instances of partial correspondence which are used when somebody is unwilling to

speak for different reasons including fear. Based on historical stories, the animal word

used for such saying is "cat" in the English culture. On the contrary, the animal word

used in the Persian culture is ' mouse" since when it is used in a proverb, idiom or

saying, the image of fear of the person is established in the mind of the addressee. Thus,

when the Persian speaker wants to use such idiom for a person, they use mouse, "the

mouse had your tongue". Both the idioms in English and Persian have the same

connotative meanings when used although their animal words are different in the two

cultures.

2.1.3. No correspondence of cultural connotations

Sometimes, the difference between the cultures leads to the absence of one concept of

SL in the TL and vice versa. In many cases, the same animal words used may have

different connotative meanings in the two languages. This difference arises from the

different cultural environment and different impressions English and Persian people get

from animals in each culture. That is, the cultural connotation of one animal in one

language might be completely different from the same animal in another language.

Scapegoat is a saying used for a one who is blamed or punished for the mistakes or sins

of others in the English culture. Being of a biblical origin, Scapegoat's cultural

connotation is the blame acceptance by one person or group for the sake of the others.

Such saying with the animal word doesn't exist in the Persian culture.

The idiom / kīniy-e-šuturī / is one of the most frequent sayings in the Persian culture

for a person who is vengeful and angry with another one for a long time. The literal

translation of it is "to have camel's enmity" in English. The cultural connotation of such

idiom is based on the historical grounds, i.e. the angry camel's seeking for revenge in

the long time. Such saying is not understandable by the English speakers unless they

have cultural awareness of Persian culture. To mention, what is significant about the

Persian language and culture is its use of a wide variety of animals in its proverbs,

idioms, and sayings. This flexibility is absent in many cultures.

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Hen party and stag party are two famous sayings of English culture which are absent in

the Persian culture. They are especial parties held before the wedding parties of bride

and groom. The cultural connotative meaning of 'hen' lies in its state of femaleness and

'stag' in its 'maleness'. These two cultural events along with their animal words and

connotative meanings do not exist in the Persian culture and are not familiar to the

Persian speakers.

3. Translation Procedures

There are many procedures proposed in translating culture-bound terms. What is shared

among all of them in translation is the matter of keeping equivalence between the two

SL and TL cultures. As Zuoling emphasizes, the translator should consider three points

in translating the culture bound terms: “1) to translate the concept and convey the

complete feeling of the original rather than just one word; 2) to use different styles with

different genres; (3) to pay more attention to the reader”(cited in Wu, 2008, p. 125).

The present study has tried to apply an eclectic approach consisting of the procedures

offered by Newmark (1988) and Delisle (1999) in translating the proverbs, idioms and

sayings under focus.

3.1. Close Translation

3.1.1. Literal Translation

Literal translation is a type of close translation in which there exists one-to-one meaning

relationship between the translated items, i.e. the SL grammatical structures are changed

to their nearest TL equivalents, and each SL word has a TL corresponding word.

However, they are translated regardless of the context. The suitability of this procedure

in translating cultural terms especially in the case of animal words depends on the

context and the way it determines the meaning of the words. The following examples

illustrate literal translations:

This place is a pigsty / īnǧā yik xūkdānī ast/ This idiom can easily be translated into

Persian although Persian speakers never use this animal in their culture on the religious

grounds. But what is shared between the two cultures is the connotation of this animal

in the two cultures. When they use such idiom they are referring to the dirtiness of a

place. Thus, the pig arise the image of dirtiness whenever it is used. The literal

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translation here distorts neither the meaning nor the connotation of the animal word

used.

Another instance is:

Fish in trouble waters /az āb-e-gil ālūd māḥī giriftan/

A little bird told me /kalāqi bi man guft/

The literal translation of the above saying into Persian is not used in this way in the

Persian culture. In fact, when the two cultures intend to refer to what they heard as a

gossip, the use the bird. But, the Persian culture, in contrast to the English culture, does

not use the general term of ' a little bird', they have a specific bird for such saying, i.e.

crow, "the crow told me". Thus, the literal translation is the strategy not suggested for

such instances because they are translated out of context.

Another instance is:

Horse of a different color /vasliy-e-nāhamrang/

Persian to English literal translation: a patch of different color

3.2. Equivalence

As Delisle (1999) states, equivalence is to replace a phrase like idioms from the SL with

a phrase from the TL expressing the same idea in a different way.

When it comes to the issue of equivalence and cultural terms, keeping the equivalence,

more specifically, cultural equivalence, between the two languages is of the greatest

importance. Ghazala (2001) defines cultural equivalence as "the translation of a cultural

term in the SL into another similar one in the TL, which performs the same function of

that of the SL" (p.1).

In the case of animal words, there are many instances in which either the connotative

meanings of animals are different or the complete connotative meaning of one animal

word is absent in one of the two cultures. Thus, it is the job of translator to apply the

most appropriate equivalent to maintain fidelity to the both cultures.

As harmless as a dove /mithli mūrchi bī āzār/

Dove is the bird which represent the image of peace and being harmless in the English

culture, but if the Persian translator translate the above saying literally it would not be

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acceptable analogically by the Persian speakers. Thus, the best strategy is to apply the

most appropriate equivalent in the Persian culture. The equivalent animal word for dove

in such saying is ant. "As harmless as an ant" is the best translation regarding cultural

understanding.

Other instances are:

That's a pretty kettle of fish / gāvimān zāyīd/

Persian to English literal translation: Our Cow gave birth

Rain cats and dogs /mithl-e- dum-e-asb bārān bārīdan/

Persian to English literal translation: Raining like horse tail

A book worm /xarxūn/

Persian to English literal translation: studying like a donkey

There isn't enough room to swing a cat / xūne-aš andāzi lūni mūši/

Persian to English literal translation: his house is of a mouse

/mithl-e-kabk saraš rā zīr-e-barf kard-e-ast/

The cat shut its eyes while stealing

Persian to English literal translation: his head under the snow like a partridge

3.2.1. Functional Equivalence

SL cultural word generalization by using a culture-free word is the procedure when

literal translation and other procedures are impossible.

To put the cat among the pigeons

There are many instances in which although the image is clear enough for the target

culture speakers, the idiom itself is not applied and meaningful. Therefore ,the translator

should apply one of the four procedures:1) to translate literally, 2) to apply an English

idiom with the same meaning regardless of the animal word in it, 3) to apply an animal

idiom of the same meaning and connotation, 4) to convey the sense regardless of the

form.

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Sometimes, when the literal translation does not make any sense to the target culture

speakers, the most appropriate procedure seems to be the last one.

/šutur dīdī nadīdī/ You see nothing, you hear nothing Persian to English literal

translation: Camel see, camel see not

/šutur dīdī nadīdī/ is a Persian proverb which is used when somebody should keep quiet

to keep the trouble away. This proverb is based on a Persian anecdote which the animal

was a camel on that story. The best way to translate this proverb in English is to convey

the sense regardless of the form.

Other instances are:

To have a bee in your bonnet /xiylī nigarān-e- muzu'ī būdan/

Persian to English translation: to be very anxious about something

To have butterflies in your stomach /dilhuri dāštan/

Persian to English translation: going into panic

Like a bull in a china shop /dast-u-pāchuluftī/

Persian to English translation: all thumbs

3.2.2. Descriptive Equivalence

Generalization of SL cultural word by using a description is another procedure applied

by the translator.

Stag Party

A party held by the friends of the groom the night before his wedding party

There is no equivalent for the above instance in the Persian culture. Thus, the translator

should add some explanations when translating such instances. Another similar instance

is hen party.

3.3. Implication

The proverbs, idioms, and sayings of SL are not explicitly rendered in the TL. Indeed,

the TL speakers can infer the described proverb, idiom, and saying.

/divār mūš dārad mūš ham gūš dārad/ walls have ears

The Persian instance's literal translation is the walls have the mice, the mice have ears.

As seen, the animal word used in the Persian instance is more explicit for the speakers.

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On the other hand the equivalent TL form is applied implicitly; the TL speakers can

infer what "walls have ears" means.

Conclusion

In the present study, the similarities and difference of cultures have been sought on the

basis of examining the connotations of animal words used in the proverbs, idioms, and

sayings of Persian and English cultures.

The examination of the issue of correspondence between the two cultures revealed the

absolute correspondence mostly in the case of proverbs in the two cultures on the

ground of universality. In fact, the connotative meanings of the animal words were the

same in the proverbs of the two cultures. In the case of partial correspondence although

the connotative meanings of the animal words used are the same, the animal words

themselves are different. There exist many instances of idioms and sayings of partial

correspondence. The difference of cultures mainly arise from the lack of one concept,

cultural issue, and the connotation of one animal in one of the two cultures, i. e. the lack

of correspondence between the two cultures.

There are some translation procedures in translating the culture bound terms including

animal words in this study. The procedures are literal translation, functional

equivalence, descriptive equivalence, and implication. The first procedure best applies

when there absolute correspondence between the two cultures. The functional

equivalence happens when the proverb, idiom, and saying are translated functionally, in

the instances of this kind the sense is more important than the form. In some instances,

the lack of one connotative meaning of one animal in a proverb, idiom, and saying leads

the translator to the descriptive equivalence. When for the sake of the economy of the

target language translator translates implicitly, the case of implication comes to

existence.

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