The vogue of Fitzgerald's Khayyam in Rihani's Abul "ALA". (c2012)

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to show that in translating Abul ‗Alā‘ al-Ma‗arrī‘s poetry, Ameen Rihani has imitated Edward Fitzgerald‘s translation of ‗Umar Khayyām. By comparing Rihani‘s translation with R. A. Nicholson‘s literal translation of Ma‗arrī, a translation that differs is purpose and method, and evaluating both in light of translation theory and translational practices, it can be said that Rihani‘s work qualifies as an adaptation and as a work whose authority is to be claimed by Rihani and not Ma‘arri. Additionally, Rihani‘s version seems to be inspired by Fitzgerald‘s Rubā‘iyyāt of Omar Khayyam on the semantic and aesthetic levels: the significant borrowing of word associations and, at times, whole lines, and the choice of the quatrain as the poetic form. Rihani has also incorporated his extensive readings of English as well as Arabic literature into his translation, namely his readings of English poets like Shakespeare and Milton and Arab poets like Ibn ‗Arabī. Rihani emerges as a writer of versions, and is to be called a ‗translator‘ only in the default of a better word.