المجلة الدولية لنشر البحوث والدراسات

International Journal of Research and Studies Publishing

By: Dr. Habiba Nakhli

PhD in Literature, Faculty of Letters, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Morocco

Style poses serious difficulties for translators. Stylistic intricacies can result in ST misinterpretation and hence misrepresentation of meaning. Clearly, reproducing the writer’s stylistic choices in a way that makes sense to the target text (TT) reader goes beyond reproducing the source text (ST) meaning as faithfully as possible. Stylistic features can be a distinctive property of the writer or the text. This article explores the stylistic challenges involved in the translation of style and the potential compromise of text meaning and coherence. The study approaches this issue through comparative analysis of Le Gassick’s translation of Mahfouz’ Al Midaq Alley, underscoring the stylistic nuances that faced the translator. The significance of this study lies in highlighting certain stylistic features unique to Najib Mahfouz's style, and analyzing the difficulties they implied for the translator. Adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, the first section of the study explores the distinctive features of the author’s style and the challenges in translating them. The second section examines the impact of translating style on the coherence and meaning of the text, including potential mistranslations or under-translations, and suggests a set of strategies that can help translators convey meaning while maintaining the text’s coherence and stylistic uniqueness. Finally, the study emphasizes the importance of understanding the stylistic dimensions of a text, as meaning extends beyond the text itself to engage the reader’s cultural and religious context. It follows that the translator's relationship with the target reader mirrors the author's relationship with ST reader. Therefore, translators must strive for accuracy in conveying meaning while offering the same aesthetic reading experience to their audience.

Style, translation, text, coherence, implicature, intertextuality, strategy, context.