Strategies for translating idioms from Arabic into English and vice versa

Abstract EN

An idiom is a form of speech or an expression that is peculiar to itself.

Grammatically, it cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements.

Culture plays an important role in the course of the idiom interpretation.

Only by having a solid foundation of the culture of the target language, the translator can catch the implied meaning.

It, therefore, requires enhancing cross-cultural awareness and needs open – minded understanding of the culture of the second language from different aspects.

Moreover, the difference between the source language and the target language as well as variation in their cultures makes the process of translating a real challenge.

Among the problematic factors involved in translation are the social and the religious cultures.

The main objective of this study however will focus on the problem of translating idioms both in social and religious culture from Arabic into English language and vise versa.

The strategies that could contribute to overcome the obstacles facing a translator in this subject are proposed and discussed.