Investigating cultural mistakes in translation performance of English majors at Saudi universities

Other Title(s)

دراسة الأخطاء الثقافية في الترجمة لدى طلاب اللغة الانجليزية في الجامعات السعودية

Dissertant

Asiri, Fahd Ahmad

Thesis advisor

Khawaldeh, Muhammad Irshaid

University

Mutah University

Faculty

Faculty of Arts

Department

Arabic language and literature

University Country

Jordan

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2008

English Abstract

This study is concerned with investigating Saudi university English language majors' inability to translate culture bound expressions and identifying the most common causes and strategies underlying this problem.

To better investigate the problem under discussion, the following three research questions are formulated: 1) to what extent are Saudi university English majors able to translate culture-bound English expressions? 2) What are the translation strategies used by Saudi university English majors to translate culture-bound English expressions? 3) What are the main causes underlying Saudi university English majors' poor performance in translating culture-bound English expressions? The study sample involves (253) English majors from the University of Tabouk and Taif University.

To collect the data required for answering and testing the research questions and hypotheses, the researcher developed three measuring instruments namely, the culture-based translation test (CBTT), the translation strategy awareness questionnaire (TSAQ), and the translation practices questionnaire (TPQ).

The results of the study revealed that Saudi university English majors' performance in translating culture bound English expressions is very poor as reflected by their scores on the culture-based translation test (CBTT).

Saudi university English majors' translation strategies awareness required for translating culture-bound English expressions is poor as reflected by the frequency of their responses on the translation strategy awareness questionnaire (TSAQ).

Translating culture-bound English expressions is marginalized by current in-class translation practices as reflected by Saudi university English majors' responses to in-class translation practices questionnaire (TPQ).

In-class translation practices neglect translating culture-bound English expressions.

Current translation teaching / learning resources and tests neglect translating culture-bound English expressions.

Moreover, literal and referential translation strategies are prevailing among Saudi university students.

In the light of the study findings, it is recommended that Saudi university English majors' should be provided with explicit training on translating culture-bound aspects and expressions.

Saudi university English majors' should be provided with explicit training on positive translation strategies.

In-class translation practices and translation courses should focus on culture bound expressions.

Translation tests should focus on culture-bound expressions.

Translation teachers have to get their students acquainted with the role of culture in translation.

More research is needed on using error analysis techniques and the contrastive analysis techniques to highlight the errors and their causes in relation to cultural translation.

Literary texts, proverbs, metaphor, expressions, and idioms should be inseparable part of translation teaching and learning at the university level.

Main Subjects

Educational Sciences

Topics

• Education
• Higher education
• Learning
• Saudi Arabia
• English language

No. of Pages

48

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-304627