NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE, PLOT 91, CASDASTRAL ZONE, NNAMDI AZIKIWE EXPRESS WAY, JABI, ABUJA.
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
JUNE/JULY 2013 EXAMINATION

Course Code:   ARA383                            

Course Title:    Translation: Eng. – Arabic   

Time Allowed: 2 hrs

Instruction to Candidates: Answer question number one (1) and any other two. 

1. Translate the following passage to Arabic:

When one morning Dabo, one of Dukana’s most successful fishermen, instead of heading for the creeks, suddenly burst out into song, there was consternation in town. Every man is entitled to his private enjoyment, and anyone who chooses to may entertain his friends. Certain times are apt and proper. Such as when the harvest is over and the hardworking and hardy men of Dukana take time off to enjoy their wealth such as it is, in leisurely and manly pursuits: in song and dance, in chats in the playground, in revels in bedrooms far from the rumour-mongers and gossips. But, when a man of dignity and substance, having arranged his affairs properly, and given orders to his subordinates to meet him early at dawn so they can set out on a trip; when such a man suddenly forgets himself and greets his staff and friends with lewd songs, well, Dukana does not laugh.

That morning, Dukana was not amused. Ripples of worry gradually spread around town and drew everyone to Dabo’s house. It was like Duzia to trivialize matters as soon as he got there. ‘I say the man does have a powerful voice. He’s been in the wrong profession all along,’ laughed he as soon as he found opportunity.

‘Cha, cha, you flabby footed son-of-a-bitch, give your tongue a rest. This is no joking matter,’ Terr Kole chastised him. ‘Who’s joking? I say the man has my type of chest, and I’m not joking,’ Duzia replied. Nor was Dabo joking. Because he soon started dancing and you could not have faulted his nimble feet and the rhythmic swaying of his body. ‘I should say this is something different,’ muttered Duzia, as the import of the event began to register on his mind. ‘Something different, indeed,’ replied Terr Kole, ‘You do hide your brain among your flailing toes some of the time, I should say.’ ‘I believe you, Terr Kole,’ Duzia said. ‘You are certainly right this time.’ (30 Marks)

2. Write a summary note on the concept of translation and discuss the bases for various perspectives. (20 Marks)

3. Identify and explain the connections between translation, language and calligraphy. (20 Marks)

4. The Abbasid period has a very high significance in the history of Arabic Translation. Discuss. (20 Marks)

5. a. Mention some of the areas where linguistic problems may manifest in English – Arabic translation.

     b. Enumerate some of the qualities of an English-Arabic translator. (20Marks)