Translating a Metaphysical Fiction: A Case Study

Abstract

Translation demands a deep understanding of two (or more) languages, time, space and culture. Drawing on his own experience in the translation of the metaphysical fiction in Malayalam titled as Maranaparyantham: Roohinte Nalvazhikal (The Afterlife: A Rooh’s Diary) written by Shamsuddin Mubarak, in to English, author of this article presents a case study. The paper explores the promises that the fiction has given in the process of translation because of its story being a fused content between the classical Islamic textual narrative and localized experience of the textual version. The study also lists numerous challenges in translating a localized version of universal experiences in a global language, English.