Masculine mediation in the Arabic translations of Morrison’s Paradise

Abstract

This paper examines how Arab male translators influence the Arabic translations of Toni Morrison’s Paradise . Through a comparative analysis of two translations by Tawfiq Al-Asadi and Ali Basha, it investigates the extent to which gender biases and cultural contexts may shape the literary translation process and affect the representation of female characters. Using Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a framework, the study adopts a qualitative design based on a close reading of key examples to assess the linguistic choices and strategies employed by each translator. The analysis integrates paratextual, descriptive, and interpretative approaches to reveal gender bias, cultural modifications, and ideological influences embedded in the texts. The results indicate that, in literary translation, male translators may alter or mute female characters’ voices, reflecting patriarchal and cultural biases. These findings highlight the importance of considering translators’ gender and cultural backgrounds, as these factors may shape literary translation choices and readers’ perceptions.