Comparative Analysis of Two Turkish Translations of Shakespeare’s "Sonnet 66" in View of Semiotics of Translation

This study focusing on the poem Sonnet 66 of William Shakespeare aims to analyze its translations by Can Yücel and Talat Sait Halman based on systematics of designification in translation propounded by Sündüz Öztürk Kasar. In this context, when the translations have been evaluated within the framework of systematics of designification, all the tendencies except for opposition of the meaning have been seen. It can be said that the translators conveyed the meaning universe of the source poem to the target language in some way; however, it seems that they tended towards designificative tendencies especially because the source text is a poem which is a more resistant genre to translation. Thus, it has been concluded that both translators employed designificative tendencies owing to the fact that each language possesses its own unique cultural, structural, and sociological characteristics and especially when it comes to poetry, some other factors take part in the process such as symbols, connotations, rhythm, musicality and measure. Therefore, in the translation of poetry which is more influenced by literary devices and directly targeting the imagination of readers, accurately conveying the text’s meaning universe is particularly important. Thus, in a domain shaped by signs, symbols and connotations, translators are required to make conscious attempts and thoughtful decisions in the translation process in regard to designification. Therefore, the study concludes that an awareness of systematics of designification will lead translators to be more prudent about designificative tendencies during the translation process. Keywords: Shakespeare, Sonnet 66, comparative literature, translation studies, semiotics, semiotics of translation, systematics of designification in translation