Problems of translating some culture-specific words (Arabic English)‎

Abstract EN

This paper demonstrates why an understanding of source text culturally-specific words is needed.

It discusses specific translation issues, namely; translating cultural- specific words from one language to another (Arabic/English).

Firstly, It displays various critical views and issues related to the translation of cultural words that play an important role and form the cornerstone of resourceful meaning.

Secondly, it discusses the factual relationship between culture, language and translation.

Thirdly, it discusses the problem of rendering cultural words that have specific meanings (e.g.

polysemic words, collocations and connotations) that require thorough understanding within the context in which they occur, and as it is understood in the ST cultural sphere.

The study also displays the various aspects of cultural/complex contents of ST words which are foreign to the translator‟s experience ( e.g.

idiomatic expressions).

The findings suggest, deep understanding of source text cultural words, is required, especially words that carry various layers of meanings (e.g.

connotational/cultural and collocational meanings).

It also reveals cultural issues arising in translation either linguistic or cultural.

The study recommended that cultural differences (variables) affect the degree of understanding between two language communities.

It also recommends that the translator must be to a certain extent bicultural.