Evaluating Translation Strategies for Implied Metaphors in the Mu‘allaqāt of ʿAmr ibn Kulthūm and ʿAntarah ibn Shaddād: A Comparative Analysis in Relation to Culture and Environment

Objective: This research seeks to identify the most appropriate strategy for translating implied metaphors in Arabic poetry, extracting the examples from the Muallaqat of Amr ibn Kulthum and Antarah bin Shaddad. Furthermore, it explores how cultural and linguistic barriers in translating ïmplied metaphors can impact cross-cultural understanding. Theoretical Framework: It embraces Al-Garrallah (2016) for the linguistic analysis and Nord (1991) for the functional analysis of the study. Method: The translations of ten implied metaphors by Arberry, Johnson, and Jones are compared and analysed. The analysis incorporates consulting explanatory books such as Al-Zawzani and Al-Tabreezi to uncover the meaning of the pre-Islamic Arabic texts. Furthermore, Arabic and English dictionaries are employed to compare the semantic and connotative layers of the source and target languages, which contribute to help understand implied metaphors and their translation Results and Discussion: The research findings show that in spite of preserving the form and meaning of some of the original metaphors, many of them undergo meaning deviation or distortion. Considering the problem of translating implied metaphors, the study also compares two methods: literal translation and personification and reveals that both methods effectively convey the form and the meaning of the implied metaphors. Research Implications: The research highlights the challenges of translating implied metaphors. It emphasizes the importance of cultural and linguistic context. The strategies like literal translation and personification, along with Al-Garrallah’s model, can improve translation quality by preserving both form and meaning. Originality/Value: The originality of the research lies in applying Al-Garrallah's model to translate implied metaphors in Arabic poetry, offering new insights into effective translation strategies. It enhances understanding of how cultural and linguistic context impacts metaphor translation. The study contributes to both translation theory and practical translation.