Exploring the Image of Women in Urdu Translation of Durrani’s English Novel Blasphemy: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

The research addresses feminist aspects of Tehmina Durrani’s novel and its Urdu translation by Aftab Ahmed. The major focus of this research is the exploration and representation of the image of women in both texts. This study uses André Lefevere’ s Rewriting Theory (1992) as its theoretical framework. Lefevere views translation as a form of rewriting, rather than a simple transfer of words from one language into another. According to this perspective, translators can modify the source text through their choices of vocabulary, expressions, additions, omissions, and changes in meaning. Such changes can influence how characters and ideas are represented in the target text. The key findings of this study reveal orientations of both original text writer and translator which specifically shape the portrayal of gender ideologies in relative translation. This study reveals noticeable shift in the portrayal of gender ideologies and women’s agency in the translation. This study specifically focuses on the representation of women image in the source text and the target text consequently, the study shows translators subjectivity construct feminist discourse even translating the source text. This theoretical framework helps the researcher to explore the representation of women. These are rooted in both texts especially in the ways gender and authority are assigned, reinforced and transformed through language. The study adopts a qualitative research method. Because there is no numerical data or statistical analysis but it is based on close reading, textual analysis and discourse interpretation. The researcher explores how discursive practices in the translation reflect the deeper patriarchal ideologies embedded in Pakistan’s male- dominated society. Through the analysis of selected excerpts, this study demonstrates that the original text portrays   women as burdened and silenced, while the translation presents an even more inferior image of women than that found in the source text. Pakistani society is predominantly male- dominant, and the same tendency is reflected in the data. The translation not only reflects social expectations but also reinforces the patriarchal norms prevalent in Pakistani culture. The findings of this research contribute to ongoing debates on gender, language and representation in translated literature.