Nature Imagery in Sepehri’s Poem

This study examines the representation and transfer of nature imagery in two independent English translations of Sohrab Sepehri’s poem Let Us Not Muddy the Water. It addresses the relatively underexplored intersection of Persian poetry translation and ecological perspectives in Translation Studies by investigating not only the transfer of natural elements but also the preservation or transformation of ecological relationships, sensory qualities, and the agency of nature. Adopting a qualitative, descriptive-analytical, and comparative approach, the study analyzes Sepehri’s Persian poem and two English translations published independently on personal blogs by Farjad Abbasi and Mohammad Rajabpur. Nature imagery serves as the unit of analysis and is examined through three dimensions—representation of the natural world, human–nature relationship, and the value and agency of nature—drawing on Michael Cronin’s (۲۰۱۷) eco-translation perspective. The findings show that both translations preserve numerous natural images but differ in specificity and ecological representation. Rajabpur’s translation includes notable substitution, generalization, and omission, including poplar rendered as “pillow” and anemone as “blossom.” Abbasi generally preserves greater natural specificity and interconnectedness, although some ecological features are modified or omitted. Overall, Abbasi more effectively recreates Sepehri’s ecological imagery.

کلیدواژه ها:

: Eco-Translation ، Literary Translation ، Nature Imagery ، Persian Poetry ، Sohrab Sepehri