CONTEXTUAL SENSITIVITY IN TRANSLATING TAMIL HONORIFIC PREFIX ‘TIRU’: A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH REFERENCE TO KALKI’S SIVAKAMIYIN SABADHAM

M. Ramasundari; K. Syed Ali Bhadhusha

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i3.2024.5228

Authors

M. Ramasundari Reg. No. 19211194012022, Full-time Research Scholar, Research Department of English, Sadakathullah Appa College (Autonomous), Rahmath Nagar,Tirunelveli-627011 (Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Abishekapatti,Tirunelveli-627012, Tamil Nadu, India)
Dr. K. Syed Ali Bhadhusha Assistant Professor and Research Supervisor, Research Department of English, Sadakathullah Appa College (Autonomous) Rahmath Nagar, Tirunelveli-627 011 (Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli-627 012, Tamil Nadu,India)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i3.2024.5228

Abstract [English]

It is widely recognized that languages reflect the worldview of their speakers, and the use of honorific forms among individuals exemplifies this reality. Honorifics, found in all languages, are conventional expressions used to signal social status and convey politeness and respect. Tamil adds another dimension to this phenomenon, where reverence and sacredness are key attributes that shape both the forms and meanings of honorific expressions, particularly the honorific prefix Tiru.

This study focuses exclusively on the translation of the Tamil honorific prefix Tiru as found in the historical novel Sivakamiyin Sabatham. Selected extracts from the source text and its English translations by P. S. Sri (Sivakami’s Vow) and Pavithra Srinivasan (Sivakamiyin Sabadham) are analyzed. The primary aim is to demonstrate that the effective translation of honorific prefixes like Tiru is deeply context-dependent. By comparing the two translation approaches, the study identifies which technique better retains the sacred and reverential meaning conveyed in the original

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