The Epic of Sheikh Bedreddin by Nazim Hikmet - Essay Example

? DISSERTATION PROPOSAL FORM ID Number Country Email Fax This form is designed to help you give us the information we need to find a suitable supervisor for your dissertation work. The more information you give us, the better we will be able to match you to a supervisor. If you change your mind about any of these plans later on, you can discuss the changes with your supervisor – you will not be forced to stick to what you have said here. Working Title/Topic area: You MUST fill in this section! Nazim Hikmet's "The Epic of Sheikh Bedreddin": A Comparative Study of Three English Version In an attempt to break down the translations of Randy Blasing, Mutlu Konuk, Larry Clark, and Ruth Christie, a poetry translation analysis representation would be employed. Through these studies, I will try to assess how thriving these translations are, and also how we could utilize stylistic analysis as a translation criticism replica. I will also simply evaluate just one poem which is the epic that has been translated thrice with the three varying versions, the English version (from Turkish to English) being included. Using the three dissimilar translators, various times of translating, varying places and varying techniques, we shall analyze the different meanings as presented by each translator. Nazim Hiklmet was a Turkish writer, novelist and a playwright. Born on 17th January, 1902, he met his demise 61 years later on 3rd June, 1963 in Moscow. He has been termed as one of the most renowned poets who have a lyrical flow of statements. Most of his literature and poems have been written during his term in prison because he was occasionally found on the wrong side of the law and thus he spent most of his life in serving time. His work has since been translated into many languages by different translators. These translations brought out different meanings, which is evident in the Hikmet's; The Epic of Sheikh Bedreddin. METHODOLOGY When compared to other genres, poetry is very complicated in its intricate form. Following the complexity, the translator of the poem needs to be familiar with the cultural and historical background of the poem he or she intends to translate. This helps the translator to distinguish all the stylistic features of the poem. This in itself makes poem translation a challenging task. Randy Blasing, Mutlu Konuk, and Larry Clark have contributed greatly to the growth of Turkish poetry. They translated Hikmet's work "The Epic of Sheikh Bedreddin" to an ordinary English version, also known as a ‘singing type’. However, this particular translation has been considered loose as the language here flows without the usage of many poetic articles. The overall piece of the work brings out a powerful masterpiece that is easy to read. Such translations are termed as lyrical free verse. To analyze the translations I will utilize stylistic analysis. Stage One The first step is to trace all the texts concerning the history of translation of poetry as well as its respective criticism. However, my focus will be on the stylistic analysis as a criticism model for poetry translation. I will then analyze the translations of Nazim Hikmet's "The Epic of Sheikh Bedreddin" by Randy Blasing, Mutlu Konuk and Larry Clark. Through these analyses I will be able to evaluate the success of the translations. Stage Two The focus lies now on analyzing the translations in detail by making use of the stylistic analysis model, whereby I will utilize the first level model, apt mostly, for the purpose of criticism. This model will follow a comparative path as well as decode the translations in terms of semantics, hypograms, syntax, phonology, graphology as well as the sociological and historical background of the poem in the English language. I will first present the original poem in Turkish as well as its translations in English, then comparatively study them using stylistic analysis focusing on the deviations that were unconsciously or consciously made by the translators. Finally, I will be well equipped to evaluate the extent at which the translated versions reflect the original poem. Stage Three It is imperative to consult with the work of the translators who have worked on bringing the meaning of this poem out in the English language, while working on the poem. This is because I believe that since these translators themselves conducted a great amount of research consulted a lot with the poet himself when they were doing the translations. The correspondence with the translators would be more interesting and full of relevant information on the translations. It should be noted that interpretations of given words and phrases in any original work may come out with different versions of the same work. This is the reason these different translators have various versions. The personal world view of each translator plays a big role on shaping direction of the material to be translated. People grow up differently, they also perceive things differently. This is also expected when the time comes to make literary decisions. This is why consulting the translators is of great importance; and will help in better understanding of their version of the poem. Possible research questions/hypotheses: RESEARCH QUESTIONS I therefore intend to do a thorough study why one utterance can mean different things to different translators. The intention of the translator will also be investigated to find the meaning. Thus I will personally have to deal with why translation is required in every aspect. Finally, I believe that understanding ‘why’, ‘when’ and ‘where’ are some of the major deciders in comprehending translations. I will also review different translations of the same material. An analysis of these different works may come up with an equivalent translation that would factor all the various original ideas by different translators. Why is one utterance meaning different things to different translators? By doing so, will the translation principles be relevant to the translators of the 3 English editions of the same epic? Will the extent of freedom in verifying various techniques in translation be enough? Did “The Epic of Sheikh Dedreddin” become available in print making it represented as a 1400 ground-breaking sacred chief in Anatolia? Possible data collection methods and data sources (if relevant): The information would be collected from the original book, including the translations, reviews of the poem and other analysis made by various critics. The other source of information lies in understanding the translators of the poem, who can be reached through correspondence, although this source would depend on the availability of the translators and time taken by the translators to respond. What books/articles/authors have you read or heard about that you think are relevant? Andrews, W. (2001). Intersections in Turkish literature: essays in honour of James Stewart-Robinson. Michigan: University of Michigan Press Halman, T. (1969). Nazim Hikmet: lyricist as an iconoclast. Oklahoma: Vol. 43, No. 1, winter, 1969 University of Oklahoma Liebesny, H. (1979). Literature. Middle East Journal Vol. 33, No. 3, summer, 1979 Hikmet, N. (1979). The Epic of Sheik Bedreddin and Other Poems. New York: Persea Books Wade, L. (2009). Translation review. Michigan: University of Michigan Press France, P. (2000). The oxford guide to literature in English translation. London: oxford university press Turkish studies association. (1997). Turkish Studies Association bulletin, Volume 21, Issue 1. Michigan: The University of Michigan Hollander, N. (1997). Love in a time of hate: liberation psychology in Latin America. Boston: Rutgers University Press Company, R. (1978). American book publishing record: BPR cumulative, Volume 19, Issues 7-12. Minnesota: University of Minnesota League of nations, UNESCO & International Institute of Intellectual Co-operation. (1984). Index translationum: Repertoire international des traductions. (1978). Volume 31. Indiana: Indiana University Paker, S. (2004). Translation review: reading Turkish novelists and poets in English translation 2000- 2004. Dallas: university of Texas at Dallas How sure are you about this topic? (make a cross on the line below) Very sure (definitely won’t change it) Reasonably sure (may make some changes) Very unsure (will probably make changes/need much more advice) Any other information you want to add at this stage: Under such a thesis, initially by tracing the literature regarding the past poetry translation and its criticism, my objective is to aim at the stylistic analysis of the translations. A poetry translation analysis representation would be employed in an attempt to break down the translations of Randy Blasing, Mutlu Konuk, Larry Clark, and Ruth Christie. Through these studies, I will try to assess how thriving these translations are, and also how we could utilize stylistic analysis as a translation criticism replica. I will also evaluate one poem which is the epic that has been translated thrice with the three varying versions, English version (from Turkish to English) being included. Using three dissimilar translators, various times of translating, varying places and varying techniques. Date you would like your supervision to start: Current submission date: Revised submission date – please check with CELS first: Read More