Translation of Paratextual Elements in El-Sa’dawi’s Woman at Point Zero into English: A Socio-Cultural Perspective

Abstract

This study evaluates the ideological, cultural, and social implications associated with the epitext parts of El-Sa'dawi's Woman at Point Zero's English cover pages through a thorough investigation of these elements. Six cover pages from different editions issued by Zed Books in various years were taken from Google in order to fulfill the objectives of this study. The context of situation and Pierce's model of sign process are utilized as methodological tools for the investigation of epitext elements in order to demonstrate the social, cultural, and pragmatic significance of these cover pages. The study shows that these epitext elements have significance and are related to the novel's plot, characters, theme, and setting. It also demonstrates how the publisher's deliberate manipulation and design choices of the paratextual elements of their cover pages over a 32-year period reveal deep social, ideological, and cultural implications, influencing reader perception and interpretation of the novel's core messages, themes, and its broader cultural context.