From Specific to Generic in the Determination of Word Souffrance in Salvifici Doloris of Jean-Paul II: A Constrastive Analysis French-Arabic

Abstract

The objective of this study is to demonstrate how the transition from specific to generic is effectuated in the determination of the word souffrance within an annexation construction: souffrance + N, or N + de la souffrance in Salvifici Doloris of Jean-Paul II. The study examines the translation of the word souffrance through a French-Arabic contrastive lens, using two parameters: article and category of number. The analysis reveals that there were several types of translations of the word souffrance. Accordingly, the translation of la souffrance de l’homme is to have different values that vary depending on whether the translation is rendered as: noun + noun alam al-insān, noun + adjective alam bašariyy, or verbal sentence with a nuance of passivity. In addition, because Arabic, unlike French, does not possess a plural-article, nouns are often transformed in order to take the plural form. As a result of this peculiarity, most translations form French to Arabic tend to render generic singular nouns to plural, such as in the instance of la souffrance du Christ thereby emphasizing the diversity under unity.