Exploring the Strategies of Domestication and Foreignization in the Translation of Socio-Cultural Aspects in Mosteghanemi’s Novel Chaos of the Senses

Abstract

Translating literary text under any genre often presents unique challenges for translators, as literature is rich with socio-cultural aspects. This difficulty arises from the need to communicate not only the literal meaning of words but also the cultural significance inherent in the original text. Culture significantly influences the formation of both the original and translated texts, as language is considered a reflection of society and derived from culture. When dealing with the socio-cultural aspects in Chaos of the Senses, written by the Algerian writer Ahlam Mosteghanemi, with its two translations, the socio-cultural aspects require a careful balancing act between the fidelity to the original text and the accessibility for the new readers. In this context, following L. Venuti's (2008) strategies of domestication and foreignization, the present study aims to explore these strategies in the translation of the socio-cultural aspects in the novel by comparing the original text with its translations. The study also examines whether the translators' background influences their decisions. It aims to create a clear vision of the Arabic and English versions. The findings indicate that, with some variation, both translators employ domestication and foreignization strategies, with a greater focus on foreignization. The translators attempt as much as they can to preserve the cultural nuances in the translation versions.