Rendering personifications in the 19th century French translations of Mikhail Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time”

Metaphor is often viewed as a controversial research problem and is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest challenges in translation. As type metaphor, personification common literary device way understanding representing reality. In this paper, author tries to provide descriptive study translators’ choices used for rendering personifications translations Mikhail Lermontov's novel “A Hero Our Time”. The current scrutiny based on five French made during 19th century by A. Stolypin (1843), J. - M. Chopin (1853), E. Scheffter (1855), X. Marmier (1856), de Villamarie (1884). Comparative semantic functional approach constitutes framework aims at describing analyzing choices. typology metaphor translation strategies suggested R. Van den Broek completes methodological basis. back serves more explicit illustration acquired data. analysis shows that most cases translators convey rather successfully. However, resulting interpretations are likely vary markedly. Along with that, non-metaphorical expression another quite well marked mode translation, whilst rephrasing similes infrequent occurrence least exploited one. which periods close time creation original undoubtedly scientific interest, because it conduces better individual translator’s decisions relation historical social context offers interesting prospects ulterior retrospective comparative study. intends continue in-depth consideration further researches.