AlHamad & Alshunnag 2011 Emotiveness in Bashar PDF

Onomázein
ISSN: 0717-1285
onomazein@uc.cl
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Chile
Qasem Al-Hamad, Mohammad; Awad Al-Shunnag, Mohammad

Emotive expressions in President Bashar Al-Assad's political speeches with an eye to
translation
Onomázein, núm. 23, 2011, pp. 149-170
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Chile
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149
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
Emotive expressions in President Bashar

Al-Assad’s political speeches with an eye
to translation
Mohammad Qasem Al-Hamad

Universidad de Jordania de Ciencia y Tecnología
Jordania
Mohammad Awad Al-Shunnag

Universidad de Petra
Jordania
Abstract
The main purpose of this paper is to examine the figures of speech used
in Arabic political speeches as a tool of communication to gain political
advantages. The analysis of the data will mainly depend on four emotive
figures of speech: simile, metaphor, personification, and euphemism.
Throughout the study, detailed analysis of how emotive expressions are
translated from Arabic into English, maintaining the emotive content of
the source texts (the written manuscript of a speech), is also examined.
The Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s political speeches are taken as a
sample, (the Syrian President will be referred to here after as Al-Assad).
An explanation of possible ways of rendering the emotive expressions
accurately and effectively into English follows.
Keywords: emotive expressions; political discourse; translation; figures

of speech; Bashar Al-Assad
Afiliación: Afiliaciones: Mohammad Qasem Al-Hamad: Civil Society Development Centre (CSDC) – Department
of English for Applied Studies, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). Jordan. — Mohammad
Awad Al-Shunnag: Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Petra University. Jordan.
Correos electrónicos: mohammadqasem9@hotmail.com; malshunnaq@uop.edu.jo.
Direcciones postales: Mohammad Qasem Al-Hamad: Department of English for Applied Studies, Jordan
University of Science and Technology (JUST). P. O. Box: 4047, 211-10 Irbid, Jordan. — Mohammad
Awad Al-Shunnag: Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Petra University, P. O. Box:
961343. Amman, Jordan
Fecha de recepción: mayo de 2010

Fecha de aceptación: abril de 2011
150 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
Mohammad Qasem Al-Hamad, Mohammad Awad Al-Shunnag:
Emotive expressions in President Bashar Al-Assad’s political speeches…
1. Introduction: Theoretical background and

review of related literature
The emotive meaning can be defined as a trend in the language

directly related to feelings and the psychological attitude of the
speaker when expressing something; this in turn may produce
affective responses in people towards the matter addressed. To
illustrate this point, consider the following political expression
“New Middle East’’ which does have a denotative equivalent in
Arabic “
” but does not have the same emotive
overtones in English. In the source language (SL), this expres-
sion denotes an American policy that seeks liberty, democracy,
and reform in the region. In the Arabic language, however, this
expression denotes an American policy that seeks to establish
a new order in the Middle East serving Israel’s interests. It is
worthy to mention that this expression conjures for Arabs feelings
of humiliation, dishonour, and deprivation of their rights and
identity. In other words, it carries negative emotions for Arabs;
whereas, it carries positive emotions for Americans and Israelis.
Thus, in both languages it arouses different psychological and
emotional responses.
Political discourse plays a considerable influence on the
mind and behaviour of the members of a speech community.
In the Arab World, more and more people are involved through-
out their daily life in political actions by, for example, being
asked to cast their votes in an election, watching the news on
TV, reading a newspaper, or simply talking with friends about
the consequences which recent decisions of the government
might have for each individual. Zheng (2000) defines ‘political
discourse’ as:
A mixed product of personal development and the relevant
social environment in which an individual grows. Any indivi-
dual political discourse is the result of personal development
in certain social settings. Personal development is affected by
the individual’s educational experiences, parental influence,
social circles, political party, economic status etc.
To make sense of political discourse, it is necessary to think
of language as mediation, based on the recognition that politics
cannot be conducted without language. Newmark (1991: 146)
asserts that “Politics is the most general and universal aspect
and sphere of human activity and in its reflection in language it
often appears in powerful emotive terms”. Emotive expressions
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170 151
are used to provoke the feelings of an audience which may help

in gaining their satisfaction and support to what is spoken. Lucas
(1992: 339) points out that “one way to generate emotional appeal
is to use emotion-laden words”. In this domain, Arab politicians
use emotive expressions in their speeches as a powerful means
of conveying their feelings and attitudes towards critical political
issues. They may emotively manipulate language to win their
audience approval. As Wilson (1990: 18-19) states: “Certainly,
politicians use words and sentences in an emotive manner; it
is part of their aim to create a feeling of solidarity, to arouse
emotions such as fear, hate or joy”. Using emotive expressions
enhances Arabic political speech and gives it a kind of power.
This power cannot be understood easily by non-native speak-
ers of Arabic and thus needs analysis in the full sense before
embarking on any translational action. Therefore, it becomes
the translator(s)’ job to convey the same emotiveness to create
the same effect and have the same impact on the target receiv-
ers as they had on the source receivers.
Generally speaking, no one can question the role transla-
tion plays in the life of people as well as nations. Translation
used to be considered an inter-language transfer of meaning,
which is the point of departure for research and study. Many
definitions demonstrate this, since translation is understood
as the process by which a meaning in a specific source lan-
guage is linguistically as well as semantically transformed into
another language. The duty of the translator is to know how to
reconstruct the meaning of the source language (SL) and how
to convey it in the target language (TL). For this reason, it is
imperative that the translator possess a broad and profound
knowledge of both languages.
Moreover, all over the world translators are subject to
numerous constraints when translating from and into inter-
national world languages. Constraints vary according to the
nature of the text, target and source languages involved, and
the text’s producers and receivers. Translating from Arabic into
English language, for example, is regarded as difficult, due to
the extended use of emotive and cultural-bound expressions.
Such emotive expressions present translators with a dilemma
of lexical incongruence. This situation then begs the question:
how does a translator render such expressions accurately and
effectively to give the intended impact in the target text with
152 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
minimal loss of meaning, if any, so that a better understanding

between source and target languages could be achieved?
In the theoretical framework, the analysis and translation of
emotiveness in this study can be seen in the context of Skopos
theory and functionalism (Vermeer 1989). Usually, texts are
produced and received with a specific purpose in mind. This is
the main argument of the Skopos theory (derived from the Greek
word skopós, which means ‘purpose’, ‘aim’, ‘goal’, and ‘objec-
tive’). According to this theory, translation is a specific kind of
communicative action; each action has a specific purpose, and
therefore, the most decisive criterion for any translation is its
purpose (skopos). Skopos theory and functionalism focus on
the translator, giving him/her more freedom and responsibility.
Moreover, the traditional notion of equivalence gradually loses
its purpose.
Barkho (1987: 147) remarks that “a general characteristic
of Arabic political terminology is that it is charged with high
emotive meaning, which renders it difficult to translate”. This
can be a serious problem for a translator dealing with such
discourse i.e. a problem in preserving the emotive meaning
between the SL and the TL. Shunnaq (1993: 37-38) points out
that: Three types of lexical items pertaining to Arabic-English
translation can be identified:
the first includes items of the source language (SL) which
have straightforward equivalents in the target language
(TL), the second includes items which have only partial
equivalents, and the third includes items which do not have
equivalents. Translating emotive expressions usually involves
the second and the third types, which makes it necessary
for the translator to struggle hard to preserve the emotive
element in Arabic so as to achieve congruency.
In his book, Turk (1985) discusses emotion as a lever among

other levers, such as habit and intellect, which a speaker can
use to help persuade the audience. He describes emotions as
the biological motive power and mentions several general points
about the use of emotional appeals in persuasive speaking. One
is that emotion is more dominant in groups and more hidden in
individuals. Another is the fact that emotions are contagious.
In addition, he suggests seven means which can be used to
change the audience’s mind on an issue: self-preservation, pos-
sessions, power, posterity, convention, sentiment and contrary
suggestion.
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170 153
Zheng’s (2000) examines how language can be used as

a resource of cultural value and creative power in Australian
English. He reveals how Australian politicians use language as a
powerful tool in gaining political advantage. In this study, several
segments of the so-called “public discourse” have been analyzed,
but he mainly focuses on two areas of speech: how politicians
use their language skills in gaining public support, and how they
evade responsibility. He investigates three speeches; one is taken
from the Australian Prime Minster, John Haward, one speech
from the opposition leader, Kim Beazley, and the third speech
is from the One Nation Party leader, Pauline Hanson. Special
discourse features of these speeches have been compiled and
categorized. The speeches are studied from the various angles
of discourse analysis and political rhetoric techniques.
Nida (1964) defines connotative meaning as: “the aspects of
author and the emotional response of a receptor. It can be bad
or good, strong or weak”. In this context, Nida concludes that
emotiveness is the result of the interaction of author, text, and
audience. He goes on to state three principles of connotative
meaning: the speaker associated with the word, the practical
circumstances in which the word is used, and the linguistic
characteristics of the word.
Morillas (2002) argues for the need to distinguish two
types of semantic models for the purpose of describing emo-
tive expressions. On the one hand, some emotive expressions
are straightforwardly ‘extensionalist’, that is, they can be rep-
resented linguistically by models that read out the semantic
representation directly from the naturalistic experience, with
minimal projective elaboration or amplification. On the other
hand, some models of emotive expressions rely on analogical,
cognitive models (e.g. metaphoric models). He concludes that
in representing semantically emotive expressions we need both
an extensionalist type of semantic representation format for the
denotative concepts and an intentional-motivational one for the
analogical, projective ones.
Shunnaq (1993) examines different aspects regarding lexical
incongruence in Arabic–English translation due to emotiveness
in Arabic. He divides emotive expressions into three types: posi-
tive, negative, and neutral. He classifies the main sources of
emotive expressions into figures of speech, cultural expressions
and naturally emotive expressions. Figures of speech include
154 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
metaphor and simile, euphemism and dysphemism, and per-

sonification. Cultural expressions include religious, fatalistic,
political, material, social expressions and synonyms. He con-
cludes that translating Arabic emotive expressions is not an
easy task because it deals with the connotative meaning which
is very difficult to convey as it involves expressions dealing with
culturally bound emotive concepts.
2. Objectives of the study
The study embarks upon analyzing how emotiveness is

used in Arabic political speeches delivered by President Al-Assad
and examining the way emotive expressions in these speeches
are translated into English. It intends to point out that in some
areas of these speeches, translator(s) failed to fully convey the
same degree of emotiveness. To make matters clearer, the study
addresses the following questions:
– How are emotive expressions used in the Arabic political
speeches?
– Does the English translation maintain the emotive meaning
observed in Al-Assad’s speeches?
– How can a translator render such emotive expressions
accurately and effectively to give the intended impact in
the target text with minimal loss of meaning?
These questions have motivated the researchers to investigate

the phenomenon of emotiveness in Al-Assad’s speeches, which
have not been investigated yet in translation studies. In order
to explore the previous questions, the researcher will describe
the study’s methodology in the following sections.
3. Methodology and Data Collection
The data of the study consists of written manuscripts of

Arabic speeches delivered by President Al-Assad along with
their English translations. These speeches were delivered in
the period between 2005 and 2006. In this period, Syria faced
major challenges. These challenges were the result of regional
and international developments involving the occupation of
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170 155
Iraq, the emergence of an influential trend among the Lebanese

public opposing the Syrian military presence in Lebanon after
the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq
Al-Hariri, the Palestinian question, Hezbollah, and the isolation
imposed on it by the United States. All of the speeches were
delivered inside Syria. This fact reveals that the President’s main
concern in his speeches is the Syrian people.
The researcher has gotten no assistance in collecting the
data required for the study from the Syrian official side; there-
fore, he went to the Syrian Embassy in Amman and wrote to the
Syrian Ministry of Information for this purpose but received no
reply. For this reason, the researcher has collected Al-Assad’s
speeches and their translations from the website of the Syrian
Arab News Agency (SANA), (www.sana.org), which is the official
state news agency of Syria. From those speeches, the researcher
has selected a sample for the purpose of the study. The sample
contains ample examples of emotiveness.
Five speeches were selected for this study. One speech was
delivered before the People’s Assembly in Damascus on March
5, 2005, another at Damascus University on November 10,
2005, at the Arab Bar Association Conference in Damascus on
January 21, 2006, before the General Congress of Arab Parties
in Damascus on March 4, 2006, and the last speech of the
President at Journalists Union 4th Conference in Damascus
on August 15, 2006. The speeches in the Arabic language were
published by different sources. The researcher collected and
compared these texts with SANA written manuscript of the
speeches to verify SANA texts authenticity.
The reasons for selecting these political speeches are simple.
In terms of emotiveness, as mentioned earlier, there are ample
examples of emotive expressions in these speeches. Moreover,
they have not been investigated yet. Furthermore, these speeches
continue to receive growing importance due to the increasing
pressure Syria is facing.
To fulfil the purpose of the study, the researcher identi-
fied and analyzed emotive expressions using emotive figures of
speech (i.e. simile, metaphor, personification, and euphemism).
He believes that the four figures of speech deserve a close ex-
amination because of their strong connection to the emotional
aspect of language and their weight in political discourse. The
researcher then subjects the translations to a translation critique
156 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
to analyse and see whether the emotive meaning in the source

language (SL) that the study would come up with is preserved
in the English translation or not. These methods are applied
in Chapter Five.
4. Results and Discussion
To achieve the purpose of this study, figures of speech can

be an aid in both the understanding of source texts and the
production of functionally adequate target texts. That is to say,
applying figures of speech (simile, metaphor, personification, and
euphemism) to the speeches will clarify aspects of emotiveness
used, and assist in finding the most appropriate technique(s) to
successfully render political emotive expressions into English
preserving the intended emotive meaning, and draw insight to
the President’s speeches. It should be mentioned here that the
work of Shunnaq (1993) has influenced some of this analysis.
5. Figures of Speech
It is important to recognize that “each language has its

own patterns of figures of speech” (Shunnaq, 1993:40) due to
the differences in linguistic system and cultural properties it
contains. Figures of speech (also known as ‘rhetorical figures’)
are linguistic devices used in a figurative or non-literal sense.
They may add vividness to a speech because they are strongly
connected to the connotative meaning and emotional aspect of
language. Booth & Gregory (1987) and Zuck (1996) have com-
mented that figures of speech relate to the form in which the
words are used out of their ordinary sense, place, or manner
for the purpose of attracting our attention to what is meant.
Moreover, figures of speech are often used for emphasis or clar-
ity; although clarity may suffer from their use.
Figures of speech are used in a speech when the speaker
wants to make a strong impression on his audience. In this
respect, Arabic is full of figurative expressions that have come
to be used as common language expressions. It is noticeable
that speakers of Arabic cannot deliver effective speech without
attending to the figurative use of language.
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170 157
It must be said that the researcher has referred to many

studies on figures of speech but the focus here will be on emotive
figures of speech. Throughout the following part of the study, the
analysis of the data will mainly depend on four emotive figures
of speech: simile, metaphor, personification, and euphemism.
5.1. Simile
Specifically regarding types of emotive figures of speech, the

simile will be studied first. A simile is a figure of speech involving
an explicit comparison between two things using ( ) ‘like’ or (
( ) ‘as’. More technically, simile is defined by Lucas (1992: 223)
as “an explicit comparison between things that are essentially
different yet have something in common. It always contains
the words “like” or “as” “. After critical analysis of simile and
metaphor, it can be said that every simile and metaphor can be
analyzed in terms of three components (see Zuck, 1996: 106): a
topic (the item being illustrated), an image (the representative
figure), and a point of similarity (the actual meaning of the
simile or metaphor in the context or the particular aspect being
shared between the topic and the image). Consider this example:
He [topic] is brave [point of similarity] like a lion [image].
Often the three components of a simile are not all explicit,
as is the case in the previous example, especially when deal-
ing with figurative language. One or more elements might be
implicit in the simile.
Consider the simile in the following excerpt:
(1)

... (1)
.
(From the speech before the People’s Assembly on March

5, 2005)
The English SANA translation of the above excerpt is:
Of course trading in products is a respected trade but trad-
ing in politics is like slave trade.
"
""
In this example,
the simile c
In thisinexample,
analyzed terms of the
the simile "
""
three components:
can be analyzed in terms of the three components:
In this example, the simile
w Topic: (trade policy
Topic:
(trade policy position)
position)
Image:
(slave trade) Topic:
(trade policy position
Image:
(slave trade)
Point of similarity: (ostracized)
Point of similarity: (ostracized)
Here, all the components ofHere,

the allsimile are explicit
the components of thein simi
th
analyzed in terms of the three components:
""
s example,
the simile can be
""
ample,
the
simile
erms of the three components: can be

s of the three "
"
components:
Topic:

In

In this ""
""
example,
thisexample,

thesimile
the policy position)

simile
(trade ca
can
158 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
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analyzed
Image:

(trade policyin

in terms
terms ofthe
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Qasem Al-Hamad, Mohammad Awad Al-Shunnag:

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audience. The!simile can
;
being
; the
to the three components as:

provoking
of

emotional
"
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responses "%!
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audience.
%
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The
be divided
being into the three
the provoking components
of emotional responsesas: among the audience.
oking The simile
of emotional

(small can be divided
states)responses amonginto thetheaudience.
three components
The simile as: can
he three being
Topic:
being
components the
theas:
(flammable materials)
provoking
provoking
of
(small
of emotional
states)
emotional responses
responses among
among the audience.
the audience. TheTh
be divided
divided
be Image: into
into the
the three
three components
components
(flammable as:
as:
materials)

(small states)
(flammable Topic:
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materials)

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7
(smallstates)
states)
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;

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ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170 159

being
being the
Mohammad the provoking
provoking
Qasem of
of emotional
Al-Hamad, Mohammademotional responses
responses among
Awad Al-Shunnag: among the
the audience.
audience. TT
be
be divided
divided intointo the
the three
three components
components as: as:
w Topic:
Topic:
Topic:

(small states)
(small states)
states)
Image:
w Image:
Image:
(flammable
The point of similarity could be:
w The point of similarity could be:
, " !*#" ." * " .+
" $

+& )." (- ," !*"
77
As we deal with emotive expressions in translation, at times it is more effective to
As wetodeal
adjust the image a more with emotive
familiar oneexpressions
in the target in translation,
language. In this at timesthe SANA
simile,
it is more effective to adjust the image to
translator adjusts the image and instead of using (burning materials) as the image, a more familiar one in he/she
the target language. In this simile, the SANA
uses (fuel) as alternative. Therefore, there is no need to add anything to the translation.translator adjusts
Here, the image
the translator
The pointand ofinstead
should consider
similarity of using
could what (burning
be: sorts of similes materials)
are used as in
thetheimage,
target language
so thathe/she usestranslation
the resulting (fuel) asisalternative.
reflected in a Therefore,
natural and there is no
appropriate
, " !*#" ." * " .+
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need
context.
to add anything to the translation. Here, the translator should
consider
ConsiderAs what
the
weSANA sorts
deal of similes
withtranslation
emotive of the
expressions arein used
simile inin
translation, atthe
this target
it is morelanguage
paragraph:
times effective to
adjust the image to a more familiar one in the target language. In this simile, the SANA
so that the resulting translation is reflected in a natural
translator adjusts the image and instead of using (burning materials) as the image, he/she
and
. +
uses %"
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context. #-
alternative. %" ).there
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translation. (3)

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target language
soConsider
that the resultingthe SANA
translation translation
is reflected
...in ofappropriate
and
a natural the simile

in

context. this

.
paragraph:
Consider the SANA translation of the simile in thisthparagraph:
(From the speech at Journalists Union 4 Conference on August 15, 2006)
(3) . + %" !( .*# #- %" ). .& $ '. %* ... .*# #- %" ,( . (3)

Israel is the party
who
should accountable.
be held We
still

have to say
.

that who
those
encouraged Israel to
...

.
attack Lebanon, stood by and supported it should be held accountable as well. The May 17 Group is
responsible for the destruction,(Frommassacres
the speech atand the warUnion
Journalists from 4Ath Conference
to Z. Hence on come
Augustresolution
15, 2006) 1701 as a
(From
political lift for the speech at Journalists Union 4th Conference on
this group…
August 15, 2006)
Israel is the party who should be held accountable. We still have to say that those who encouraged Israel to
As attack Lebanon, stood by and supported it should be held accountable as well. The May 17 Group is
noticed
responsible in destruction,
for the the Arabicmassacres version, oneA toofZ. Hence
and the war from the come
three components
resolution 1701 as a of the
simile is left Israel lift is
implicit,
political the
which
for this party
group…is thewho point should be held accountable. We still
of similarity.
have to say that those who encouraged Israel to attack Lebanon,
As noticed in the Arabic version, one of the three components of the
stood byisand
5.2.simile
Metaphor supported
left implicit, which is theit point
should be held accountable as well.
of similarity.
The May 17 Group is responsible for the destruction, massacres
5.2. Metaphor
and the war
"Looking at from
realityA through
to Z. Hence different come resolution
metaphors is like 1701 as a at
looking
light political
through different lift foratthis
"Looking realitygroup…
colored filters.
through When
different one isfilter
metaphors is changed
like looking at for
another oflight a different
through differentcolor, colored
a newfilters. versionWhenofone reality
filter may suddenly
is changed for come
As noticed
into view" another
(Booth of&aGregory,in thecolor,
different Arabic
1987: version,
a 247).
new version one of the
of reality maythree components
suddenly come
of theintosimile
view" (Booth is left implicit,
& Gregory, which is the point of similarity.
1987: 247).
A metaphor A metaphoris a isfigurea figureof ofspeech

speech inin which
which one one
thing thing is compared
is compared to to
another by another
saying by saying
that thatone oneis issimilar
similar to to another.
another. Metaphor
Metaphoris convincingly
is convincingly
established by Lakoff and Johnson (1980). The theory of conceptual view of
5.2.metaphor
established Metaphor
by Lakoff outlined and Johnson
by Lakoff (1980).(ibid)
and Johnson Theseestheory
metaphors of asconceptual
a means of view of
metaphor understanding
outlined bysomething Lakoff inand Johnson (ibid) sees metaphors
terms of something else. The theory of conceptual as a means of
understandingmetaphor is useful for
something in this
terms study,of since it implies else.
something that metaphors
The are used
theory of inconceptual
“Looking
everyday at reality
discourse through
including politicaldifferent
discourse. metaphors is like cannot
Therefore, metaphors look-
metaphor
ing at is useful
light bethrough
generally
for this study,
regarded different
since
as somethingcolored
it implies
literary. Afilters.
metaphor
that
When metaphors
one by
is defined filter are
Lucasis used in
everyday (1992:
discourse including political discourse. Therefore, metaphors cannot
changed for 224)another of a different
as "an implicit comparisoncolor, a new
between thingsversion
that are ofessentially
reality
generally different
be regarded yet haveassomething
something literary.When
in common". A used
metaphor is metaphor
effectively defined –by Lucas
maylike suddenly
simile – iscome into way view” (Booth & toGregory,
a speech, 1987: make 247).
(1992: 224) as "an an excellent
implicit to bring
comparison colour
between thingsto that abstract
are essentially
ideas concrete, to clarify the unknown, and to express feelings and emotions.
different yet have something in common".
Wilson (1990: 104) points out that "Metaphors may be employed forWhen used effectively metaphor –
like simile – is an excellent way to bring colour to a speech, to make abstract
ideas concrete, to clarify the unknown, and to express feelings and emotions.
8
Wilson (1990: 104) points out that "Metaphors may be employed for
160 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is

compared to another by saying that one is similar to another.
Metaphor is convincingly established by Lakoff and Johnson
(1980). The theory of conceptual view of metaphor outlined by
Lakoff and Johnson (ibid) sees metaphors as a means of un-
derstanding something in terms of something else. The theory
of conceptual metaphor is useful for this study, since it implies
that metaphors are used in everyday discourse including political
discourse. Therefore, metaphors cannot generally be regarded
as something literary. A metaphor is defined by Lucas (1992:
224) as “an implicit comparison between things that are es-
sentially different yet have something in common”. When used
effectively metaphor –like simile– is an excellent way to bring
colour to a speech, to make abstract ideas concrete, to clarify
the unknown, and to express feelings and emotions. Wilson
(1990: 104) points out that “Metaphors may be employed for
connotative or emotional purposes in arousing emotions and
reinforcing particular perspectives”. In the same sense, Aziz
(1995: 85) points out that “Metaphors provide the main source
of an emotive message”. Also, Arduini (1998:189) adds that “ev-
eryone uses metaphors in everyday speech; in fact, it is hardly
possible to avoid meeting with thousands of figures, a richness
no less than that to be found in works of literature.”
Furthermore, Kövecses (2002: vii) indicates five features of
metaphor that summarize what have been said about metaphor
in this section:
First, metaphor is a property of words; it is a linguistic phe-
nomenon. Second, metaphor is used for some artistic and
rhetorical purpose. Third, metaphor is based on a resemblance
between the two entities that are compared and identified.
Fourth, metaphor is a conscious and deliberate use of words,
and you must have a special talent to be able to do it and
do it well. Only great poets or eloquent speakers, such as,
say, Shakespeare and Churchill, can be its masters. Fifth,
it is also commonly held that metaphor is a figure of speech
that we can do without; we use it for special effects…
Metaphors occupy a central place in the rhetoric of contem-
porary politicians. Emotive expressions in political speeches are
metaphorized in terms of human and non human characteristics
and are derived from nature, human body, or inanimate objects.
Shunnaq (1993: 41) remarks that “in Arabic, emotions are often
metaphorized in terms of fire, temperature, fluid, anger, pride,
love, etc. English follows this pattern in its own way”.
tive expressions in political speeches are metaphorized in terms
non human characteristics and are derived from nature, human
mate objects.ONOMÁZEIN
Shunnaq (1993:
23 (2011/1): 41) remarks that "in Arabic,
149-170 161
Mohammad Qasem Al-Hamad, Mohammad
ften metaphorized in terms of fire, temperature, Awad Al-Shunnag:fluid, anger,
nglish follows this pattern in its own way".
or - like a simile A metaphor

- involves –like
a atopic,
simile–aninvolves
image,a topic,
and aanpoint
image,ofand a
point of similarity, but it does not use “like” or “as” or anything
does not useelse
"like" or "as" or anything else to make it explicit
to make it explicit that a comparison is made. So while a
on is made. So while
simile might a be
simile might
“she is like abe "shea is
snake” like a snake"
corresponding a
metaphor
taphor might be "shebe
might is “she
a snake."
is a snake.”
On November 10, 2005, Al-Assad addressed the profes-
mber 10, 2005,sors Al-Assad addressed
and students the professors
of Damascus University.andWhenstudents
delivering
University. When
this speech, he criticized the Lebanese government as athe
delivering this speech, he criticized puppet
for Syria’s
nment as a puppet forenemies
Syria'sand its Prime
enemies Minister,
and its PrimeFouadMinister,
Siniora. The
president says:
e president says:
(6)

(6)
# ! " " ! .
.

A translation of thisThe SANA translation

paragraph of this paragraph is the following:
is the following:
In fact, what we see today is that Lebanon has become
e today is that aLebanon
route, ahas
manufacturer anda financier
become a route, for and
manufacturer these conspiracies.
financier for
This means thatThis
Mr. means
Siniora that Mr. Siniora was unable to live up to his
was unable to live up to his commitments or hecom-
do so becausemitments or he was not allowed to do so because he receives
he receives orders from those who receive orders in their
orders from those who receive orders in their turn.
Reading the English SANA translation, the researcher as-
the English serts
SANA translation, the researcher asserts here that
here that the translator has not successfully conveyed the
has not successfully conveyed
purpose behind using the purpose ‘ behind using the
the metaphor

’ by the
President; being the provoking of negative emotional responses
among the audience against the Siniora’s government. When
metaphor ' 'b
analyzing the9 metaphor, the researcher found that all the com-
emotional responses
ponents of this comparison are explicit in the source text:
among
When analyzing the metaph
w Topic: Mr. Siniora this comparison are explicit in t
w Image: slave
w Point of similarity: Mr. Siniora, according to the President,
Topic: Mr. Siniora
receives orders from his masters just like a slave.
Image: slave
As with similes, when translating into the
TLPoint
the translator
of similarity: Mr.
sometimes finds it necessary to make an implicit component
from of just like a
his masters
the comparison explicit, and in light of the fact that a metaphor
is defined as an implicit comparison it is sometimes necessary
As with similes, wh
to make explicit the fact that a comparison is being made. When
finds as
this scenario takes place a metaphor is translated it anecessary
simile. In to make a
in light of
this case, the suggested translation might be more emotive: the fact that a
sometimes necessary to mak
When this scenario takes pla
the suggested translation might
finds it necessary to make an implicit component of the comparison explicit,
Topic: Mr. Siniora
in light of the
Image: slave fact that a metaphor is defined as an implicit comparison
sometimes
Pointnecessary
162
of similarity:toMr.makeSiniora,explicit
according the fact
to the that receives
President, a comparison
orders
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
is being m
from his masters just likeMohammad
a slave.
When this scenario takes place a metaphor is translated as a simile. In this
Qasem Al-Hamad, Mohammad Awad Al-Shunnag:
the suggested
As translation
with similes, might be moreinto
when translating emotive:
the TL the translator sometimes
finds it necessary to make an implicit component of the comparison explicit, and
in light of theInfact thatwhat
a metaphorseeistoday
defined
is as an Lebanon
implicit comparison it is a
In fact,sometimes see fact,
what wenecessary today is that
to make
we Lebanon
explicit has
the fact
that
thatbecome
hasa become
a route,
a comparison is beingmanufacturer
made. and financi
these conspiracies. route, a manufacturer
This takes
means that and financier
Mr. Siniora was unablefor these conspiracies.
to live up case,
to his commitments
When this scenario place a metaphor is translated as a simile. In this
was nottheallowed toThis
do means
somight
suggested translation that
because
be moreMr.
he Siniora was
receives
emotive: orders unable
fromtothose
live up whoto his
receive orders in
turn just like a slavecommitments or he
commanded by was not allowed
a commanded slave.to do so because he re-
In fact, what we ceives
see today orders from has
is that Lebanon those who
become receive
a route, ordersand
a manufacturer in financier
their turnfor
these conspiracies.just
This like
means athat
slave commanded
Mr. Siniora bylivea up
was unable to commanded slave.
to his commitments or he
was not allowed to do so because he receives orders from those who receive orders in their
To clarify this technique of translating metaphor, consider the follo
turn just like a slave commanded by a commanded slave.
example: To clarify this technique of translating metaphor, consider
the To
following example:
clarify this technique of translating metaphor, consider the following
example:
...
& !& % $ %# ... %# $
(7) ...$

/ $ + %(

*( & !&($
/$ % $
'+ %#
. ...( $
... %# *( -$
1! ...
,0
/ $ $ + %( *( /$ ($ '+ . ...( *( -$ 1! ...
,0 ) %"%$ )#
(7) ) %"%$

... ...

... ...

(From the speech before the General Congress of Arab
(From the speech before the General Congress of Arab Parties on March 4, 2006)
Parties on March 4, 2006)
(From the speech before the General Congress of Arab Parties on March 4, 2
The
TheSANA translation
SANA of this of
translation very successful,
this full of emotion
very successful, fullparagraph
of emo-
reads as:
tion paragraph
The reads as: of this very successful, full of emotion parag
SANA translation
I would like to welcome you to Syria, the country called by many Arabs as the beating heart of
reads as:Arabism. IThere
would shouldlike to welcome
be blood for a heart you
to beat,toand
Syria,
you arethe
the country
blood which called
came fromby
many
various partsArabs as the
of the Arab body beating heart
carrying all Arab very ofrichArabism.
elements whichThere should
empowers this bodybe
with strength and immunity.
I would blood
like tofor a heartyou
welcome to beat, and the
to Syria, youcountryare thecalled
bloodby which
manycame Arabsfrom
as the beating hea
various
Arabism. There parts
Here, should

the of the
be

expression Arab
blood
'' body carrying
for a heart all Arab
'' is usedtometaphorically very
beat, and inyou rich toelements
orderare the blood which came
which
various express
parts of empowers
deep theemotion
Arab body this body
carrying
and impress with
theallstrength
Arab very
audience atand immunity.
rich
the elementsofwhich
beginning the empowers this
President's
with strength and speech.
immunity. Moreover, national identity (Arabism) serves as a means by
which toHere,target the expression
the widest possible “section

of
Syrians and” is used
Arabs as, metaphori-
in the Arab
World, national identity arouses certain emotional reactions and provokes the
cally in order to express deep emotion and impress the audience
Here,
feelings ofthetheexpression
Arabs. This ''is why President Al-Assad '' is used
pays metaphorically
particular attention in order to
to at
the the
issue beginning
of national identityof the President’s
and addresses it in all speech.
his speeches.Moreover, national
express identity
deep (Arabism)
emotion serves and impress
as a means the byaudience
which to at targetthethebeginning of
President'swidest possible section of Syrians and Arabs as, in theserves
speech. Moreover, national identity (Arabism) Arab as a mean
which to World,
targetnational
the widest identity arouses
possible 10 section certain of emotional
Syrians and reactions
Arabs as, in the
World, and provokes
national the feelings
identity of thecertain
arouses Arabs. This is why President
emotional reactionsAl-and provokes
feelingsAssadof the pays particular
Arabs. Thisattention
is whytoPresident the issue of national identity
Al-Assad pays particular atte
and addresses it in all his speeches.
to the issue of national identity and addresses it in all his speeches.
5.3. Personification
Personification can be defined as10

a figure of speech, whereby
inanimate objects or abstractions are referred to as having
human qualities or forms. Personification is defined by Willis
(1973: 246) as “Personification attributes human qualities to
nonhuman objects or entities”. The main purpose of personifica-
tion is to help the speaker/writer avoid abstraction by achieving
animation. This figure occurs when an expression deviates from
stractions are referred to as having objectshuman or abstractions
qualities orareforms. referred to as h
Personification
is defined by Willis (1973: 246) as "Personification attributes is defined by Willis (1973:
es to nonhuman objects or entities". human qualities
The mainto purpose nonhumanof objects or
5.3. Personification
is to helpONOMÁZEIN
the 23 (2011/1): 149-170
speaker/writer personification
avoid abstraction
is to
by help the 163
achieving speaker/write
Emotive expressions
s figure occurs when an expression
Personification in
can President
be animation.
Bashar
defined asdeviatesThis
Al-Assad’s
a figure fromfigure
political
of speeches…
speech, occurs when
the normal
whereby or
inanimate an expre
objects or abstractions are referred to as having human qualities or forms.
er realized Personification
in the world. In ordinary
political manner
discourse, such realized
deviations
is defined by Willis (1973: 246) as "Personification attributes
in thecan world. In poli
attract thehuman
attention
qualities of
the normal or the audience
to ordinary
nonhuman be
manner used
objects orand to
realized attract
to inexpress
entities". The the attention
main excessive
the world. In political
purpose of of the au
personification is to help the speaker/writer avoid abstraction by achieving
pecially when discourse,
used in Arabic.such deviations can be used
emotiveness to attract
especially the used
when attention
in Arabic.
animation. This figure occurs when an expression deviates from the normal or
of the
ordinary audience
manner realizedand to express
in the world. In excessive emotiveness
political discourse, especially
such deviations can
g at the be when
used
opening used
tosessionin
attract Arabic.
the
of attention
the of
Arab the audience
Speaking
Bar and
Association to express excessivesession
at the Conference
opening of the
emotiveness especially when used in Arabic.
on January 21, Speaking2006,at the opening session
Al-Assad in Damascus of the the
criticized onArab Bar
JanuaryAssociation
international21, 2006, Al-A
r using the Conference
Speakingofat in
policy theDamascus
double on of
openingstandards
session January
community when
the Arab21,
for 2006,
Barusing
dealing Al-Assad
the Conference
with
Association policy
Arab-criti-
of double s
in cized the
Damascus international
on January 21,community for
2006, Al-Assad using the
criticized policy
the of double
international
Israeli conflict. He says:
He says: community for using the policy of double standards when dealing with Arab-
standards when dealing with Arab-Israeli conflict. He says:
Israeli conflict. He says:
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The SANA translation of this excerpt is:

The SANA translation of this excerpt is:
NA translation of this excerpt is: The SANA translation of this excerpt is:
… added to that the Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace and
… added to that the Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace and land before the eyes of a silent
international community. Of course the international community is silent in such cases … when
the Israeli landtobefore
it comes
violations a simplethe
of Lebanese eyes
statement of disturbs
that
airspace…a silent
added
and landinternational
Israel to
a little
that bitthethe
before herecommunity.
… Israeli
a silentofOfLebanese
eyestheviolations
ofinternational
airs
munity. Of course
course
sometimesthe
the international
international
this tongue
community is
community.silent
community turns into an active and influential society with a tongue to speak and
international
become fiercecommunity is silent in such cases … when Ofin such
course cases
the international
com
… when it comes to a simple
it statement
comes to a that
simple
simple statement that disturbs Israel a little bit … here the international disturbs
statement Israel
that a
disturbs Israel
ns into an activelittle
Thebit
and … influential
here the
international international
community
community
society with acommunity
is figuratively portrayed
turns a turns
intoastoan
tongue man
speak into
who
active hasan influential
and
and
ngue become the active and
ability to
fierce influential
speak society
and keep sometimes
silent with
whenever hea wants.
tongue
this tongue In to
become speak
thisfierce and
case, the
President, expresses his opinion through vivid language that makes the argument
sometimes this tongue become fierce.
come alive.
ernational community The international
is figuratively community Theis figuratively
portrayed international
as a manportrayed community
who as a is figurati
has
The English SANA translation seems to be a literal translation. This kind
speak and man who
keep silent
of translation, has the ability
in this whenever to
the speak
ability and
particular case,hedoeswants. tokeep
not convey silent
speak
In the whenever
and
thisemotive keepthe he
case,meaning silent whene
wants.
resses his observed
opinionin the In this
through case,
vivid
source of the the President,
President,
language
text. For expresses
expresses
example, thethat
word makes
' his opinion
his opinion
the through
argumentthrough vivid
' was literally
vivid language
translated that
into 'silent'; the makes
researcher
come thealive.
argument
suggests come
'holds tongue as ifalive.
one hasn't any'
which affects the listener more. Another translation that does not match the
TheisEnglish
emotive touch SANA
the phrase ' translation seems
' which was literally to be
rendered intoa'with
literal
a trans-
glish SANA lation.
tongue This
to speak';
translation kind
the
seems of
researcher translation,
believes thatThe itinis this
to bethea alternative better particular
English
literal translation.to say 'does case,
SANA This lackdoes
nottranslation
kind a seems to
tongue
not or a
conveyvoice'.
the As a
emotive result, meaning observedtranslation
in should
the be
source as the
of the
in this particular
following: case, does not of convey
translation, the in this particular
emotive meaning case, does
source of the text.
text. ForFor example,
example, the the word
word ‘
observed
' in’' was
was literally
literallyoftranslated
the source the text. For intoexample, the
… added to that the Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace and land before the eyes of the
‘silent’;
'silent'; theinternational
researcher the researcher
communitysuggests suggests
its translated
which holds 'holdstongue tongue ‘holds
into
as if it hasn't tongue
'silent';
as any. as if
coursethe
if Ofone one
hasn't hasn’t
researcher
any'
the international suggests
the listener any’
community which affects
holds its tongue the
in such listener
cases … when more.
it comes Another translation
to a simple statement thatAnother tra
that disturbs
more. Another which
translation affects
that does the notlistener
matchmore. the
s the phrase ' does not 'match
which the was emotiveemotive
literally touch
touchisisinto
rendered thethephrase
phrase
'with a ‘' ’' which was
which believes
was literally thatrendered
it tongue into ‘with a tongue to speak’;
lack athe
ak'; the researcher 11 to to
is better speak';
say the researcher
'does not believes that i
researcher believes that it is better to
voice'. As a result, the alternative translation should be as the the alterna
tongue or say
a ‘does
voice'. notAs lack a a tongue
result,
or a voice’. As a result, the alternative translation should be as
following:
the following:
… addedofto Lebanese
t the Israeli violations that the Israeli
… violations
airspace added ofbefore
to that
and land Lebanese airspace
the Israeli
the eyes and
violations
of the of Lebanese a
land its
munity which holds before theaseyes
tongue if itofinternational
the international
hasn't Of coursecommunity
any. community which
the holdswhich
its tongue as if
international
its tongue in holds its tongue
such cases … whenas it if it hasn’t
community
comes any.
holds Of
to a simple its course the
tonguethat
statement interna-
in such cases … when it
disturbs
tional community holds its tongue in such cases … when it
11 11
164 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
comes to a simple statement that disturbs Israel a little bit …

ttle bit … hereherethethe international
international community
community turns intoturns into an
an active andactive and
influential
influential society which does not lack a tongue
ich does not lack a tongue or a voice and sometimes this tongue become fierce. or a voice
and sometimes this tongue become fierce.
onsider the SANAConsider
translationthe SANA
of the translation
following of the following excerpt:
excerpt:
(16)
...
! ! (16)
! $ & # " $ #" !# "
. ...

# & ' & " $ !
% $
& " % ''
( ' $&& # #&

...

. !

(From the speech at Damascus University on November
(From the speech at Damascus University on November 10, 2005)
10, 2005)
… andthem
onsequently pushing consequently
to surrenderpushing them to
to the illusion of surrender to the
certain defeat illusion
at the first
confront and of
stand fast before outside pressure put on the whole region, and
certain defeat at the first attempt to confront and stand fast on Syria
r.
before outside pressure put on the whole region, and on Syria
in particular.
of this war have targeted our youth, in particular, because they do not recall, or have
Theorists
the details of the political of this
events war
in the have
past twotargeted our earlier.
decades and youth,For in particular,
Syria was
to stand thebecause they dofrom
storms blowing not recall, or have not
every direction and lived
which the details
failed of the
to achieve
tives. political events in the past two decades and earlier. For Syria
was able then to stand the storms blowing from every direc-
n this example,
tion andAl-Assad figuratively
which failed describes
to achieve the challenges and
their objectives.
ns Syria was facing as ‘storms.’ These storms were given a human
movement) and In this example, Al-Assad figuratively describes the chal-
a human form (failure). By using this emotive picture,
lenges and campaigns Syria was facing as ‘storms.’ These storms
ident is telling Syrians that they will stand strongly in the face of
were given a human quality (movement) and a human form
es and campaigns which aim at weakening their unity, building upon
(failure). By using this emotive picture, the President is telling
in the pastSyrians
wherethat
theythey
hadwill
unified
stand and stoodin together
strongly the face when facing
of challenges
hallenges andand
campaigns.
campaigns which aim at weakening their unity, building
upon instances in the past where they had unified and stood
or one whotogethermasters when
both facing
Arabicsimilar
and English, it and
challenges is clear that SANA
campaigns.
n of this picture is emotive and natural. But, to make the translation
For one who masters both Arabic and English, it is clear
omprehensible and more emotive, the researcher believes it may be
that SANA translation of this picture is emotive and natural.
y, in this instance, to adjust as follows:
But, to make the translation more comprehensible and more
emotive, the researcher believes it may be necessary, in this
onsequently pushing them to surrender to the illusion of certain defeat at the first
instance, to adjust as follows:
confront and stand fast before outside pressure put on the whole region, and on Syria
r. … and consequently pushing them to surrender to the illu-
sion of certain defeat at the first attempt to confront and
of this war have targeted our youth, in particular, because they do not recall, or have
the details of the political events in the past two decades and earlier. For Syria was
and the storms blowing from every direction and made them fail to achieve their
..
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170 165
stand fast before outside pressure put on the whole region,

and on Syria in particular.
Theorists of this war have targeted our youth, in particular,

because they do not recall, or have not lived the details of the
political events in the past two decades and earlier. For Syria
was able to stand the storms blowing from every direction
and made them fail to achieve their objectives...
5.4. Euphemism
Different contexts demand widely different vocabularies

when addressing sensitive issues that may cause a feeling of
pain for others; in this case, it is important to choose words
and expressions that avoid naming things directly or sugar-coat
ideas. This is the purpose of euphemism. Euphemism is a figure
of speech used by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing,
or troubling than the expression it replaces. It is used to avoid
talking explicitly about some harsh, unpleasant, or distasteful
topic. Euphemism
Different contexts is definedwidely
demand by Allan (2001:vocabularies
different 148) as “a whenword
or phrase
addressing sensitiveused
issuesasthat
an may
alternative to a dispreferred
cause a feeling expression.
of pain for others; in this
case, Itit avoids
is important to choose
possible losswords and expressions
of face”. Indeed, whenthat avoid naming thingsis
an expression
directly or sugar-coat ideas. This is the purpose of euphemism. Euphemism is a
used as a euphemism, its literal meaning is dropped and for this
figure of speech used by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling
than reason this figure
the expression of speech
it replaces. usually
It is used to avoidcarries
talking emotive meaning.
explicitly about some
harsh, unpleasant, or distasteful topic. Euphemism is defined by Allan (2001:
As was indicated in the Wikipedia Encyclopaedia (2006),
148) as "a word or phrase used as an alternative to a dispreferred expression. It
avoidsin possible
Westernloss Culture, euphemisms
of face". Indeed, whenareanapplied to six
expression is areas
used of
as life:
a
death,itspoverty
euphemism, and lowissocial
literal meaning status,
dropped religion,
and for bodily
this reason thisfunctions,
figure of
speechwar and
usually politics,
carries and
emotive sex. In his essay “Politics and the English
meaning.
Language”, Orwell (1946) pointed out the political tendency to
As was indicated in the Wikipedia Encyclopaedia (2006), in Western
use euphemism. It is noticeable throughout contemporary po-
Culture, euphemisms are applied to six areas of life: death, poverty and low
social status, discourse
litical thatfunctions,
religion, bodily euphemisms war and are widelyand
politics, used
sex. as
In ahis
result
essayof
their
“Politics ability
and to hideLanguage”,
the English something behind
Orwell a softened
(1946) pointed or
out manipulated
the political
language.
tendency to use They are used
euphemism. It is tonoticeable
avoid admissions of possibly political
throughout contemporary contro-
versial
discourse that actions.
euphemisms Moreover,
are widelypoliticians tend ofto their
used as a result use ability
euphemisms
to hide
something behind
in their a softenedtoorspeak
speeches manipulated
aboutlanguage.
a topicThey are used
through an toindirect
avoid
admissions of possibly controversial actions. Moreover, politicians tend to use
way ininorder
euphemisms their to avoidtocreating
speeches political
speak about a topiccrises
throughamong or between
an indirect way in
order countries. Consider
to avoid creating thiscrises
political exampleamongin or which
betweenthecountries.
President states
Consider
clearly
this example in that
which he used euphemism:
the President states clearly that he used euphemism:
(19) 22% !".'% )& 2 $% 2* %- /%
0% 2% #% 0, /3 #+% )(19

...
...

$ " ... " " % $ . "
!

(From the speech before the General Congress of Arab Parties on March 4, 2006)
The SANA translation of this excerpt is the following:
The other point is the popular grass and roots which feel shame and disgrace over as result of
166 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
(From the speech before the General Congress of Arab

Parties on March 4, 2006)
The SANA translation of this excerpt is the following:
The other point is the popular grass and roots which feel
shame and disgrace over as result of many political stances
and our reactions over certain questions…certain incidents…
and over certain issues that don’t amount to the level
of the ambitions of the man of the street. In fact “don’t
amount to” is a softened phrase, and it’s very far from
the ambitions of the ordinary man of the street
In this example, Al-Assad’s euphemistic portrayal of how

disappointed the public is of the Arab official positions and reac-
tions over certain political issues$%%&'%!as(%! ‘)!!ϰѧ Αήόϟ΍!ωέΎθѧѧϟ΍!ΕΎѧѧΣϮϤσ!ϯϮΘδѧѧϣ!ϰѧѧϟ΍!ϰѧѧϗήΗ!ϻ’!)! '*+,'-! '.+/$*'! $
$%%&'%! 63'0(/$*'!
(3-! -$%4+.1+5/! (%! )!ϰѧ Αήόϟ΍!ωέΎθѧ ѧϟ΍!ΕΎѧ':;5'%%$+3!
'.+/$+378! 92$%! ѧΣϮϤσ!ϯϮΘδѧ ѧϣ!ϰѧ
<(%! (3!ѧϟ΍!ϰѧѧϗή
(//'.
‘evoked emotive image of shame/2'! and discomfort
>5'%$-'3/=! (negative
/+! %+1/'3! emotion).
/2'! 2(5%2! 5'(?$/@! +1! /2'! 0(;! /2(/! ':$%/%! $3!
!ϰѧѧϟ΍!ϰѧѧϗήΗ!ϻ)! '*+,'-! '.+/$*'! $.(0'! +1! %2(.'! (3-! -$%4+.1+5/! 63'0(/$*'! '.+/$+378! 92$%! ':
This expression was an attempt, according to the President, to
B'/<''3!(.B$/$+3%!+1!/2'!;&B?$4!(3-!/2'!+11$4$(?!;+?$4$'%8!
92$%! ':;5'%%$+3! <(%! (3! (//'.;/=! (44+5-$30! /+! /2'! >5'%$-'3/=! /+! %+1/'3! /2'! 2(5%2! 5'(?$/@! +1
soften the harsh reality of the ! gap that exists in the Arab World
?$/@! +1! /2'! 0(;! /2(/! ':$%/%! $3! /2'! A5(B! C+5?-!and B'/<''3!(.B$/$+3%!+1!/2'!;&B?$4!(3-!/2'!+11$4$(
92'! D30?$%2! EAFA! /5(3%?(/$+3! $%! $31?&'34'-! B@! /2'! A5(B
between ambitions of the public G+5'+*'5=! $/! the official
%''.%! /+! B'! policies.
?$/'5(?! /5(3%?(/$+38! 92'! '&;2'.$%/$4! ':;
!+11$4$(?!;+?$4$'%8! !ϰѧ Αήόϟ΍!ωέΎθѧѧϟ΍!ΕΎѧѧΣϮϤσ!ϯϮΘδѧѧϣ!ϰѧѧϟ΍)! <(%! /5(3%?(/'-! $3/+! )-+3H/! (.+&3/!
The English SANA translation ! is influenced
/2'! (.B$/$+3%! +1!92'!
/2'! .(3! D30?$%2! by/2'!the
+1! EAFA! Arabic
%/5''/)8! 92$%!/5(3%?(/$+3!
?$/'5(?! /5(3%?(/$+3! $%! .($3
writing
3! $%! $31?&'34'-! B@! style. Moreover,
/2'! A5(B$4! it seems
<5$/$30! %/@?'8! to
4+3*'@$30! be /2'!literal
G+5'+*'5=! '.+/$*'! $/!translation.
.'(3$30! /+!
%''.%! +B%'5*'-!
B'! The $3! /2'!/5(3%?(/$+3
?$/'5(?! %+&54'! /':
/5(3%?(/+5! 2(%! (! ;5+B?'.8! J'K%2'=! +34'! (0($3=! 5'3-'5%! )ωέΎθѧѧϟ΍)! $3/+!
3%?(/$+38! 92'!euphemistic
'&;2'.$%/$4! expression':;5'%%$+3! )‘!ϰѧѧϗήΗ!ϻ !ϰѧ Αήόϟ΍!ωέΎθѧѧϟ΍!ΕΎѧѧΣϮϤσ!ϯϮΘδѧѧϣ!ϰѧѧϟ΍)!’ <(%! /5(3%?(/'
%/5''/)L!$/!$%!.+5'!(;;5+;5$(/'!/+!&%'!)?(@.(3!$3!/2'!%/5''/)8!!!
5(3%?(/'-! $3/+! was translated into ‘don’t amount/2'!
)-+3H/! (.+&3/! /+! /2'! ?'*'?! +1! to the (.B$/$+3%!
level of+1! the/2'! .(3! +1! /2'! %/5''/)8! 92
ambitions
!! 9+!1&5/2'5!(--5'%%!(3-!4?(5$1@!/2$%!$%%&'=!4+3%$-'5!/2'!1+??+<$30!'
''/)8! 92$%! ?$/'5(?!
The /5(3%?(/$+3!
English SANA .(@! <+5,!
translation <'??!
is $3!
influenced 4+3*'@$30!
of the man of the street’. This literal translation may workstyle. by the /2'!
Arabic '.+/$*'!
writing .'(3$30! +B%'5*'
well
+B%'5*'-! $3!in/2'!
Moreover, it %+&54'! the
conveying
seems to be /':/8!
literal I'/=! meaning
emotive
translation.EAFA!
The /5(3%?(/+5!
!ΏΎѧѧѧϫέϻ΍!Δѧobserved
euphemistic
2(%!
expression in the
ѧѧΤϓΎϜϣ!ϰϋΪѧѧѧΗ!ϰѧѧѧΘϟ΍!ϯϮѧ (! ;5+B?'.8!
ѧѧϘϟ΍!ξѧѧsource
' J'K%2'=!
ѧόΑ!Ϊѧѧѧϳ!ϰѧѧѧϓ!Γ΍Ω΄ѧtext. +34'!
ѧѧϛ!ΏΎѧѧѧϫέϻ΍!ϯ΃!ΓήϫΎѧ (0($
ѧѧψϟ΍!ϩάѧѧѧϫ!ϡ΍ΪΨ

4'! (0($3=! 5'3-'5%! ' was
)ωέΎθѧѧϟ΍)!translator translated
$3/+! )/2'! .(3! into 'don’t amount to the level of
/2'! %/5''/)L!$/!$%!.+5'!(;;5+;5$(/'!/+!&%'!)?(@.(3!$3!/
Yet, SANA has a+1! problem. ! ΔϴϠΧ΍Ϊϟ΍!ϢϬϧϭΆη!ϰϓ!ϞΧΪΘϟ΍ϭ!ϢϬΘϳϮϫϭ!ϢϬΘϓΎϘΛ!ϰϠϋ!ΕΎΌΘϓϻ΍ϭ!ϢϬόϳϭήΗϭ!Ϧ
He/she, once again, ren-
the ambitions of the man of the street'. This literal translation may work well in
.(3!$3!/2'!%/5''/)8!!!
dersthe
conveying ‘ ’ intomeaning
emotive ‘the man of the instreet’;
observed it is more
the source text. appropriate
6P5+.!/2'!%;''42!(/!/2'!+;'3$30!%'%%$+3!+1!/2'!A5(B!Q(5!A%%+4$(/$
Yet, SANA
translator
tohasuse a problem.
‘layman He/she,
in the once !!
again, renders
street’. ' 9+!1&5/2'5!(--5'%%!(3-!4?(5$1@!/2$%!$%%&'
' into 'the man of the S(.(%4&%!+3!T
%!$%%&'=!4+3%$-'5!/2'!1+??+<$30!':4'5;/M!
street'; it is more appropriate to use 'layman in the street'.
! 92'!EAFA!/5(3%?(/$+3!+1!/2$%!':4'5;/!$%!/2'!1+??+<$30M!
n is influenced To by further
the addresswriting
Arabic and clarify !ΏΎѧthis
style. issue,
ѧѧϫέϻ΍!Δѧ consider
ѧѧΤϓΎϜϣ!ϰϋΪѧ theѧѧϘϟ΍!ξѧ
ѧѧΗ!ϰѧѧѧΘϟ΍!ϯϮѧ fol- ѧѧόΑ!Ϊѧѧѧϳ!ϰѧѧѧϓ!Γ΍Ω΄ѧѧѧϛ!Ώ
ѧϓ!Γ΍Ω΄ѧ
ѧ ѧϛ!ΏΎѧѧ lowing
To further
ѧϫέϻ΍ϯ΃ΓήϫΎѧ ѧ excerpt:
address
ѧψϟ΍ϩάѧѧ and clarify
ѧϫϡ΍ΪΨΘѧѧ ѧγϻ this
!ΔϓΎѧ
ѧ issue,
ѧοϻΎΑ 6NO7
V! consider the/+!following
$3! (--$/$+3! excerpt:
! ΔϴϠΧ΍Ϊϟ΍!ϢϬϧϭΆη!ϰϓ!ϞΧΪΘϟ΍ϭ!ϢϬΘϳϮϫϭ!ϢϬ
"#$! $%&'()"*")(+! (,! "#)-! &#$+(.$+*/! +*.$'0! "$11(1)-.=! (%!
on. The euphemistic expression ' +1! %+.'! ;+<'5%! <2$42! 4?($.! 1$02/$30! /'55+5$%.! $3! +5-'5! /+! $3/$.$-(/'! (3-! /'55+
ϬΘϳϮϫϭ!ϢϬΘϓΎϘΛ!ϰϠϋ!ΕΎΌΘϓϻ΍ϭ!ϢϬόϳϭήΗϭ!Ϧϳή
(20) Χϻ΍!ΏΎϫέ΍!ϞΟ΃!Ϧϣ (20)!
ated into 'don’t amount to thelevel
"
of !(//(4,!/2'$5!4&?/&5'%=!$-'3/$/$'%!(3-!$3/'5*'3'!$3!/2'$5!$3/'53(?!(11($5%!V

& !" $ " !%# " ! $ '" 6P5+.!/2'!%;''42!(/!/2'!+;'3$30!%'%%$+3!
!%"
" %
eet'. This literal translation may work !well X/!in$%! 3+/$4'(B?'! /2(/! $3! .+-'53! ;+?$/$4(?! -$%4+&5%'!
'%%$+3!+1!/2'!A5(B!Q(5!A%%+4$(/$+3!R+31'5'34'!$3! )1$02/$30! /'55+5$%.)! (3-! )<(5! +3! /'55+5)! B'4(.'! '&;2'.$%.%! 1+
observed in (From the
(From
the source
speech theat the text.
S(.(%4&%!+3!T(3&(5@!N"=!NOOU7!
speech
openingat Yet,
session of SANA
the (0($3%/!
opening
the Arab session
X%?(.!Bar of the
Association
(1/'5! /2'! '*'3/%! +1! Arab
Conference
E';/'.B'5!Bar
in""/2=! ! (%! &%$30! 5'?$0$
gain, rendersAssociation ' ' into Conference
'the man of in +1! .$?$/(5@!Damascus
theDamascus '30(0'.'3/! on<+&?-!
January B'!21,-$;?+.(/$4(??@!
2006) (3-! %/5(/'0$4(??
! on 92'!EAFA!/5(3%?(/$+3!+1!/2$%!':4'5;/!$%
January 21, 2006)
C'%/! (%! $/! <+&?-! 2(*'! /2'! ;+/'3/$(?! /+! $31?(.'! .$??$+3%! +1! G&%
man in the street'.
4'5;/!$%!/2'!1+??+<$30M! of this excerptofisJ'5'=! )/'55+5$%.)! is -+'%!
The SANAThe translation
SANA translation this excerpt
the following: the3+/! -'1$3'! /2'! G&%?$.! 5'?$0$+3! ':;?$4
following:
V! $3! (--$/$+3! /+! WKH H[SORLWDWLRQ RI WKLV SKHQRPH
(44+5-$30!/+!/2'.=!/+!/2'!'3'.@!(4/$*$/@!6*$+?'34'78!
SKHQRPHQD inQDPHO\ …
WHUURULVP=! in (%!
addition
(! /++?! to
$3! the
/2'! exploitation
2(3-%! +1! %+.'! of this
;+<'5%! phenomena,
as <2$42! in4?($.! 1$02/$30! /'55+5$%.! $3! +
s issue,…consider addition the
to thefollowing
exploitation
namely
excerpt:
of this
terrorism,
phenomena,
as !
a
namely
tool in
terrorism,
92'! EAFA!
the
a tool
/5(3%?(/$+3!
hands of $%=!
some
the hands
':4';/!
powers 1+5! %+.'! .$%/(,'%=!
%.! $3! +5-'5! /+! $3/$.$-(/'! (3-! /'55+5$W'! /2'! +/2'5%! /5(3%?(/+5!
of some powers which claim fighting terrorism in (3-!
order (//(4,!/2'$5!4&?/&5'%=!$-'3/$/$'%!(3-!$3/'5*'3'!$3!/2'$5!$3/'
to intimidate
5'3-'5%! <5+30?@! /2'!the%$30&?(5!
and terrorize others and
<+5-! )ΓήϫΎѧѧѧψϟ΍!)! 6;2'3+.
attack their cultures,
2'$5!$3/'53(?!(11($5%!V which
! identities andclaim
intervenefighting terrorism
in their internal affairs
;?&5(?! 1+5.! in order toG+5'+*'5=!
… );2'3+.'3()8! intimidate /2'5'! and
$%! (! ;5+B?'.! $3! /2'! (55(
! the
terrorize
others
and%'3/'34'%8!92'5'1+5'=!/2'!%&00'%/'-!/5(3%?(/$+3!<+&?-!B'M!
attack! their
(20)X/!cultures,
$%! identities and
3+/$4'(B?'! /2(/! $3! .+-'53
!%# " ! $ '" intervene
It is noticeable
!%"
" thatin in
% their
internal
modern
affairs
political

…
discourse the expressions
.+-'53!'fighting
;+?$/$4(?! -$%4+&5%'!
terrorism' and 'war /2'!on ':;5'%%$+3%! )1$02/$30!
V! $3! (--$/$+3!
terror' became /'55+5$%.)!
/+! /2'! ':;?+$/(/$+3!
euphemisms "#)-!(3-!
for +1!the )<(5!+*.$'0!
&#$+(.$+(+/!
campaign +3! "$11(1)-.=!
/'55+5)! (%!B
55+5)! B'4(.'!
against Islam '&;2'.$%.%! 1+5! /2'!
after the events 4(.;($03!
of September
+1! %+.'!
11 (0($3%/!
, as usingX%?(.! (1/'5!
religion as /2'!
the '*'3/%!
target +1! E';/'.B'
th ;+<'5%! <2$42! 4?($.! 1$02/$30! /'55+5$%.! $3! +5-'5! /+! $3/$.$-(/'! (3-! /
(//(4,!/2'$5!4&?/&5'%!(3-!$-'3/$/$'%=!(3-!$3/'5*'3'!$3!/2'$5!$3/'53(?!(11($5%!
/2
;/'.B'5!
ession ofof""military
the =! Arab
! (%!engagement
&%$30! 5'?$0$+3!
would (%!
Bar Association be /2'! /(50'/! +1!
Conference
diplomatically inand.$?$/(5@! '30(0'.'3/!
strategically risky for <+&?-! the B'! -$;?+.(
-$;?+.(/$4(??@!
West as (3-! it would%/5(/'0$4(??@! 5$%,@!
have the potential 1+5! 23
/2'!
to inflame 4(+5'6-)(+!
C'%/!
millions (%! of$/! Muslims
<+&?-! 2(*'! worldwide./2'! ;+/'3/$(?! /+! $3
Damascus on January 21, 2006)
Here, 'terrorism' does not define the Muslim religion explicitly; it refers,
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against Islam after the events of September 11 , as using religion as the targ
of military engagement would be diplomatically and strategically risky for t
West as it would have the potential to inflame millions of Muslims worldwi
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
Here, 'terrorism' does not define the Muslim religion explicitly; 167 it refe
Emotive expressions in President Bashar
according to them, to the enemy activity (violence).Al-Assad’s political speeches…
The SANA It is noticeable that is,

translation in modern
exceptpolitical discourse
for some the expres-
mistakes, acceptable. T
sions ‘fighting
translator renders wronglyterrorism’ andword
the singular ‘war on
' terror’ became euphemisms
' (phenomenon) into its
plural formfor'phenomena'.
the campaign against Islam
Moreover, thereafter
is athe events of
problem in September
the arrangement of t
11 th, as using religion as the target of military engagement would
sentences. Therefore, the suggested translation would be:
be diplomatically and strategically risky for the West as it would
have the potential to inflame millions of Muslims worldwide.
… in addition to the exploitation of this phenomenon, namely terrorism, as a tool in the ha
Here, ‘terrorism’ does not define the Muslim religion explicitly;
of some powers which claim fighting terrorism in order to intimidate and terrorize the oth
it refers, according to them, to the enemy activity (violence).
attack their cultures and identities, and intervene in their internal affairs
The SANA translation is, except for some mistakes, accept-
6. Conclusion able. The translator renders wrongly the singular word ‘ ’
(phenomenon) into its plural form ‘phenomena’. Moreover, there
is aarticle
In this problem weinhavethe arrangement
investigated of the sentences.
emotiveness Therefore,
in the political speeches
the suggested translation would be:
Bashar Al-Assad with an eye to translation. Data analysis has shown that translati
… in addition
emotive expressions is a todifficult
the exploitation
task whereof this phenomenon,
utmost care shouldnamely
be given to judgi
terrorism, as a tool in the hands of some powers
emotive overtones as overtones are not easily sensed. Moreover, there which claimis no clear-c
fighting terrorism in order to intimidate and terrorize the others,
distinction between emotive synonymous words/expressions. What looks as an emot
attack
expression for onetheir cultures
translator andnot
might identities, and intervene
necessarily be so for in their in-
another. This is why t
ternal affairs.
6. Conclusion 14
In this article we have investigated emotiveness in the po-

litical speeches by Bashar Al-Assad with an eye to translation.
Data analysis has shown that translating emotive expressions
is a difficult task where utmost care should be given to judging
emotive overtones as overtones are not easily sensed. Moreover,
there is no clear-cut distinction between emotive synonymous
words/expressions. What looks as an emotive expression for
one translator might not necessarily be so for another. This is
why the researchers were, in many cases, hesitant to decide
on the matter at hand. Hence, some translations suggested in
this study could not be more appropriate than SANA’s versions.
This depends largely on the translator himself/herself who deals
with such expressions.
We suggest that translating emotive expressions be broken
down into three steps: First, the translator should determine
whether to look for a literal or non-literal translation in the first
place. Second, if the translator has decided to seek a figurative
translation, he/she should mobilize some set of principles or
strategies for generating a range of possible meanings. Third,
168 ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170
he or she should employ a further set of principles or strate-

gies for identifying which meaning from among that range is
most likely to be suitable in the present occasion. In this en-
deavour, the translator would do well to check his/her choice
for comprehension and naturalness. Furthermore, translation
of emotiveness in political speeches must not involve only an
examination of the intended meaning of the speaker and the
figurative language used in the source language, but also an
examination of the emotive forms, if any exists, and the figura-
tive devices available in the target language.
The translator of such discourse should first of all know
what the text means. It is not enough to know the meaning of
each individual word in the text, but one should also understand
the higher levels of meaning (connotative meanings), including
the purpose of the text. In addition, the translator should be
able to make sense of the linguistic and rhetorical structure of
both the source language and the target language. The transla-
tor of emotiveness should keep in mind that the addresser of
the original texts depends on the shared background (common
ground) with his target audience, while the translated texts
must be prepared for a different audience who do not share
the same background.
Applying figures of speech in particular and discourse
analysis (DA) in general, in such studies it is possible to ana-
lyze and achieve a thorough and in-depth understanding of
the source text. It is then possible for the translator to identify
potential translation problems that may arise in the target text
production and find suitable alternatives. To translate figures
of speech literally without checking to see if it is understood
is to translate inadequately. The idea that translating and in-
terpreting should primarily take into account the function of
both the source and target text (the functional approach) has a
great affinity with Skopos theory. The function of a translation
is dependent on the knowledge, expectations, values and norms
of the target readers, who are again influenced by the situation
they are in and by the culture. As illustrated by the analysis of
the examples, these factors determined that the functions of
the source text or passages in the source text, to a large extent,
were not preserved by the translators (SANA). Therefore, SANA’s
versions were modified or even changed.
It is urgent and imperative for the Syrian Arab News Agency
(SANA) to be more careful with their translations to make the
ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170 169
translations of the Arabic speeches more natural and accurate;

which would maintain the emotiveness strategy uses. Clearly,
the principle of natural-sounding in translating emotive expres-
sions is demonstrated to be more ideal than practical.
7. Bibliographic References
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AZIZ, You’il, 1995: “The Problem of Emotive Language in Translation’ ”,
in: Turjuman 2, 79-94.
BARKHO, Leon, 1987: “Cultural Problems of Arabic-English Political
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BOOTH, Wayne & Gregory MARSHALL W., 1987: The Harper & Row Rhetoric.
New York: Harper & Row Publishers.
KÖVECSES, Zoltán, 2002: Metaphor: A Practical Introduction. Oxford:
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LAKOFF, George & Mark JOHNSON, 1980: Metaphors we live by. Chicago:
Chicago University Press,
LUCAS, Stephen, 1992: The Art of Public Speaking. New York: McGraw-
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MORILLAS, José Martin, 2002: Extensionalist Semantics, Cognitive
Linguistics and Emotive Expressions: [http://www.uv.es/
anglogermanica/2002-martin.htm].
NEWMARK, Peter, 1991: About Translation. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters
Limited.
NIDA, Eugene, 1964: Toward a Science of Translating. Leiden: E. J
Brill.
ORWELL, George, 1946 [2009]: Politics and the English Language and
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SHUNNAQ, Abdullah, 1993: “Lexical Incongruence in Arabic-English
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pp. 37-63.
TURK, Christopher, 1985: Effective Speaking: Communicating in Speech.
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VERMEER, Hans, 1989: ‘Skopos and Commission in Translational Action”
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WILLIS, Hulon, 1973: Structure, Style, and Usage: Rhetoric and Reasoning.
3rd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.
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Onomázein

Qasem Al-Hamad, Mohammad; Awad Al-Shunnag, Mohammad

Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=134518490006

ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170

Emotive expressions in President Bashar

Mohammad Qasem Al-Hamad

Mohammad Awad Al-Shunnag

Keywords: emotive expressions; political discourse; translation; figures

Fecha de recepción: mayo de 2010

1. Introduction: Theoretical background and

The emotive meaning can be defined as a trend in the language

are used to provoke the feelings of an audience which may help

minimal loss of meaning, if any, so that a better understanding

In his book, Turk (1985) discusses emotion as a lever among

Zheng’s (2000) examines how language can be used as

metaphor and simile, euphemism and dysphemism, and per-

2. Objectives of the study

The study embarks upon analyzing how emotiveness is

These questions have motivated the researchers to investigate

3. Methodology and Data Collection

The data of the study consists of written manuscripts of

Iraq, the emergence of an influential trend among the Lebanese

to analyse and see whether the emotive meaning in the source

4. Results and Discussion

To achieve the purpose of this study, figures of speech can

It is important to recognize that “each language has its

It must be said that the researcher has referred to many

Specifically regarding types of emotive figures of speech, the

(From the speech before the People’s Assembly on March

Here, all the components ofHere,

ONOMÁZEIN 23 (2011/1): 149-170 159

A metaphor A metaphoris a isfigurea figureof ofspeech

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is

or - like a simile A metaphor

A translation of thisThe SANA translation

Personification can be defined as10

The SANA translation of this excerpt is:

comes to a simple statement that disturbs Israel a little bit …

stand fast before outside pressure put on the whole region,

Theorists of this war have targeted our youth, in particular,

Different contexts demand widely different vocabularies

The SANA translation of this excerpt is the following:

(From the speech before the General Congress of Arab

In this example, Al-Assad’s euphemistic portrayal of how

The SANA It is noticeable that is,

In this article we have investigated emotiveness in the po-

he or she should employ a further set of principles or strate-

translations of the Arabic speeches more natural and accurate;

ALLAN, Keith, 2001: Natural Language Semantics. Oxford: Blackwell

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