BULLEH SHAH'S POEM “APNA DAS THIKANA” THROUGH THE LENSE OF NIDA'S EQUIVALENCE MODEL

Abstract

This study is based on comparative analysis of Bulleh Shah’s (A renowned Sufi poet) poem APNA DAS THIKANA focusing on two versions of translation by Toufiq Raffat and Kartar Singh Duggal. The goal of the study is to determine the equivalence between the source and target texts, and to highlight whether or not both forms of translation reflect the form and feel of the original. For the examination of these translations, the researcher employed Eugene Nida's notion of equivalent effect as the basis. The major conclusions are that both translators efficiently express meanings, although there is a gap between the source and target texts. Overall Raffat’s version of translation gives adherence of the culture of the Punjabi language providing contextually rich interpretation, on the other hand Duggal’s translation is more focused on word for word translation and may compromise the cultural depth in Bulleh Shah’s work.