The semantics of the word Haik in sermon 19 of Nahj al-Balaghah With a critical approach to its equivalents in Persian translations

Given the significant number of allusions in cultural themes, recreating and matching them in target language is one of the challenges for translators. Translation theorists have proposed different ways to meet such challenges. Peter Newmark is one of the theorists who has proposed strategies for restoring cultural concepts by providing a five-fold division. The purpose of the present study is to identify the challenges that the translators of Nahj al-Balaghe face in finding the exact equivalent for cultural concepts. Researchers have attempted to explain the correct meaning of the metaphorical interpretation of "Haik Ibn Haik" in the nineteenth sermon, using a descriptive-analytical method and a critical approach. Therefore, while examining the meanings and the application of this interpretation in different narrations, five contemporary translations of Nahj al-Balaghah, by Fayz al-Islam, Shahidi, Faqihi, Dashti and Ansarian were selected, criticized and evaluated based on the Newmark model. The result of the research showed that in addition to the baselessness of some narrations in which the above-mentioned interpretation has been used, the cultural aspect of this ironic interpretation has been neglected by the translators. Also, they have not succeeded in transmitting the meaning and concept and the cultural connotation hidden in it by taking the above-mentioned interpretation, so they have provided many explanatory footnotes, and have misunderstood it. Concerning the historical books and glosses written on Nahj al-Balaghe and the familiarity with cultural context of this phrase “ablah nadan/ idiot” is a better choice.