Keywords in Wolves of the Crescent Moon: Thematic and Corpus Analysis

Abstract

Corpus methods allow for the analysis of literary texts, specifically novels, because they can objectively examine large datasets through systematic computer-based analysis. This study examined the most commonly occurring content words in the English translation of the Saudi novel Wolves of the Crescent Moon (WOTCM). This study implemented a mixed-methods approach utilizing the LancsBox software for a corpus-based quantitative analysis to identify the most frequently used content terms in WOTCM. The keywords within the context of the novel were further analyzed by comparing the terms to the semantic meanings that may be prompted by the translated title as well as the original title of the text through qualitative analysis of concordances. The findings revealed excessive usage of specific terms related to the titles, which may be attributable to the translator’s deliberate choices or the inherent aspects of the topics that could impact the interpretation of these titles. These choices highlight the importance of paratexts, which include the titles of literary works, in determining the thematic and conceptual frameworks within the novel. The study underscores the crucial significance of corpus linguistics in comprehending translation processes and the linguistic tactics employed in literary themes and sheds light on translation choices in Saudi literary works.