Farahnaz Bahlooli Osguei - Lecturer of Department of English, Islamic Azad University, Bonab Branch, Bonab, Iran

Theoretically and empirically, it has been assumed that textual signals affect the retention and comprehension of the text. This study highlights the use of transitional words and phrases - the so-called signal words in the English and the Persian translations of Surah Ya-Sin. Five common types of signal words including : Emphasis words, Addition words, Cause and Effect words, Comparison words , Contrast words and illustration words were explored in the English translation of Surah Ya-Sin by Marmaduke Pickthall as well as the Persian translation of the same Surah by Elahi Ghomshei aiming at answering these two questions : firstly, in which of these two translations have more signal words been used, and secondly, which signal words have occurred the most. The obtained results do not show a significant difference between these two translations in terms of the type and number of signal words used. Though, the most widely used signal words are: Addition words and Cause & Effect words in the data.

signal words, translation of Surah Ya-Sin, Marmaduke Pickthall, Elahi Ghomshei