A Comparative Analysis between English and Urdu Translated Versions of JalaludinRumi’s Poem

Abstract

Masnavi- the famous book of MaulanaJalauldin Rumihas been translated into many languages of the world in recent past. This descriptive study aims to examine levels of equivalence between two translated versions of Rumi’s famous Persian poem, The Song of the Reedin two entirely different languages that are Urdu and English. The study presents a comparative analysis between English and Urdu versions of The Song of the Reed and designates the dominant translation techniques, applied by two translators to translate the song in their respective languages. The translations techniques that are compiled by Molina and Albir (2002, p. 509) are used to analyze both translated versions. Eighteen verses of the Persian- source text, and eighteen verses of English and Urdu versions as target texts are selected to appreciate major translation techniques used by each translator. QaziSajjad Ahmad translated the song into Urdu in 1974, whereasF.O. Wajma translatedthe song into English in 2017.  The analysis show that both translators were successful in maintaining the original poetic form of the song.  Furthermore, there are seven most dominant techniques that are used by both translators, which are Addition, Omission, Reduction, Transcreation, Aspect Change, Category Shift and Literal Translation Techniques. The Urdu language translator has used more literal translation as compared to English translator. The translation shows that there is less semantic distance between Persian and Urdu and both languages share much common vocabulary. Whereas, in English translation, the translator used many different techniques of translation to deliver message of the original text, given in the target language.