A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE POEM “MY NEIGHBOR FRIEND BREATHING HIS LAST” BY BULLEH SHAH, TRANSLATED BY TAUFIQ RAFAT AND A.R LUTHER

The research paper explores a comparative analysis of the translation of Bulleh Shah's Punjabi poem "اٹھ چلے گوانڈوں یار" by Taufiq Rafat and A.R. Luther into English using the Vinay and Darbelnet model to analyze the translation strategies such as equivalence, modulation, and oblique translation. It reveals the levels of linguistic accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and literary style in the two translated versions. It allows for a close appreciation of how translations impact interpretations in English-speaking settings. Evidence from the study demonstrates that whereas Rafat chose to translate more literally, it is Luther who somehow manages to retain more fully the cultural and literary values of the original richer and finer interpretations. The literal translation of Luther may sometimes come at the loss of poetic depth because poetry is an essential element in Bulleh Shah's work.