Bulleh Shah across Borders: A Comparative Analysis through Formal and Dynamic Equivalence

Abstract

English as an international medium of communication serves as impeccable tool to introduce various kind of literature such as Punjabi Sufi poetry to the global readers. This study offers a comparative analysis of renowned Pakistani Punjabi mystic poet Baba Bulleh Shah’s famous ode Bullah Ki Jana Main Kaun by three translators from Pakistan, India and United States. The focus of this study is on each of the translator’s dedication to the linguistic fidelity and their treatment of the metaphors, phonetics, and idiomatic expressions. It also critically examines how each version balances the preservation of the actual meaning, spiritual essence and poetic rhythm through the lens of Eugene Nida’s translation model of Formal and Dynamic equivalence. The findings suggest that translation choices critically shape reader’s perspective. Each translation reflects its translator’s incline towards a specific direction and making each version, a unique rendition. It also highlight how different stylistic choices and cultural background contribute to the preservation and accessibility of the Sufi poetic norms around the world.