Patterns of Translation of Sadness Metaphors from Persian into English: A Cognitive Analysis

The preservation and reproduction of a source metaphorical expression in the target language is a problematic challenge for translators. The aim of this study is to examine the translation of emotive metaphorical expressions of sadness from the Persian novel Savushun into English. Emotive metaphorical expressions relating to sadness from the source text and two target texts are identified. Subsequently, the conceptual metaphors underlying the metaphorical expressions in the source text and the target texts are investigated. Using the framework of metaphor identification procedures (MIP), and conceptual metaphor theory (CMT), the study attempted to identify the patterns used in the translation. The particular concern is whether the translations of the metaphorical expressions from the source text are instantiations of same conceptual metaphor as in the source text; instantiations of a different conceptual metaphor; or the neutralization of the metaphor. This paper presents the preliminary results of the translation patterns of metaphors that have been identified.