RECONFIGURING LINGUISTIC STRUCTURES THROUGH TRANSLATION: A CATFORDIAN EXAMINATION OF CATEGORY AND LEVEL SHIFTS IN THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF SAADAT HASAN MANTO’S THANDA GOSHT

Abstract

This paper explores the linguistic and structural shift involved in translating Saadat Hasan Manto’s “Thanda Gosht” into English, applying J.C. Catford’s model of translation shifts. Focusing specifically on category shifts (class, unit, structure, intra-system) and level shifts (grammar-to-lexis and vice versa), the study conducts a comparative analysis of selected source and target text segments to identify how meaning, tone, and cultural nuance are restructured during translation. The findings reveal that while the English translation captures the overall narrative intent, it frequently involves syntactic compression, lexical substitution, and the omission of culturally embedded expressions. These shifts, though functionally motivated, often dilute the emotional and cultural resonance of the original text. The study argues that Catford’s model remains relevant for identifying structural disparities between languages, especially in literary contexts, but must be complemented by contextual and cultural considerations. This research contributes to the fields of translation studies and comparative literature by demonstrating how linguistic shifts reshape cross-cultural textual experience.