INTERNAIONAL CONFERENCE

ON
ARABIC LANGUAGE & LITERATURE:
. TEACHING-LEARNING & TRANSLATION

RESEARCH PAPER PRESNETATION

ON
Arabic - English Translation : The Linguistic
Challenges
By
Mohsin Ahmed Barbhuiya
Research Scholar Deptt. of Arabic
Assam University, Silchar (AUS)
 Abstract
As the increase in the pace of globalised communications and widespread
immigration, the need of translation is increasing due to the continuous
expansion of trade, culture, technology and so on. Translation is a field of
contrastive linguistics since it describes the differences and similarities
between a pair of languages and their cultures. It provides a number of
valuable outcomes, including helping to understand and appreciate other
cultures and civilisation of the target language. Translation is a very
sensitive task of language studies, it involves some serious challenges to
deal with. One of the main challenges of Arabic is a highly inflected
language, meaning that the meaning of a word can change depending on
its placement in a sentence and the other words around it. This makes it
difficult to translate Arabic sentences directly into English without losing
some of the nuances of meaning. Another challenge is the fact that Arabic
has a complex system of verb conjugation, which can be difficult to
translate into English without distorting the original meaning. Arabic also
has a rich system of morphology, which means that words can have
multiple forms depending on their grammatical function. In addition to
these, there are also cultural differences between Arabic and English that
can make translation difficult. Arabic has a rich literary tradition and a
strong connection to Islam, which can make it difficult to translate certain
concepts and expressions into English without losing some of their cultural
significance. The present research work aimed at investigating these
challenges and fixing them with prospective and suitable solutions.
INTRODUCTION : Translation is essential of our day to day life for
communication. Translation is the process of conveying a message by transferring
from one system of language to the other. That is to say, it is the technique used to
transfer or to transform the meaning in written terms from a source language (usually
the mother or the first language of the translator) into the target language (usually a
foreign or second language) using words that have direct equivalency. In this regard,
the translation theorist and scholar of competitive literature Susan Basnett says,
“Translation involves the transfer of ‘meaning’ contained in one set of language signs
into another set of language signs through competent use of the dictionary and
grammar; the process involves a whole set of extra-linguistic criteria also”. A
translation should be read by readers in its new language with the same enthusiasm
and understanding as it was in the old. It should have the same virtues as the original,
and inspire the same responses in its readers. So, a translator is both a reader and a
writer at the same time.

DISCUSSION : Translation is a complex process that involves more than just

transferring words from one language to another. It involves understanding the
cultural, religious, political, and other components of both the source and target
languages and ensuring that the meaning of the text is accurately conveyed.
Meaning is a key component of translation. It is not just about translating individual
words, but understanding how those words fit together to create a coherent message.
This involves taking into account the nuances of the language, such as vocabulary,
grammar, style, phonology, and usage. Usually, anything which is not relevant to
meaning is not considered as translation but at times, we may have some exceptions
where sounds are more important than meanings, for example, poetry. Meaning can
be made out from a single word or a group of words so that something can be
understood independently. Hence, a word is the smallest and a sentence is the largest
unit of meaning. Translation needs to be viewed as an act of communication
governed by consideration of comprehensibility and readability, rather than an act of
prescription informed by dogmatic and obsolete views about correctness. So,
translation is the exchange of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an
equivalent target-language text.
Linguistic Challenges in Arabic to English Translation:
Arabic and English are two distinctive languages. Arabic belongs to the Semitic
language family and English, on the other hand, belongs to the Indo-European
language family. Here, some challenges and solutions are discussed in detail:
Idiomatic Expressions: The Arabic language is known for its use of idiomatic
expressions that can be challenging to translate accurately. Idiomatic expressions are
phrases or sayings that have a figurative or metaphorical meaning that is different
from the literal meaning of the words. Here are some examples of Arabic and English
idiomatic expressions:
The Arabic expression ‫ والسكوت من ذهب‬،‫الكالم من فضة‬: (al-kalam min fidha wa al-sukut
min thahab) - Literal meaning: Speech is silver, silence is gold but the actual meaning
is, “It is better to remain silent than to speak out unnecessarily”.
"‫ "ما في شي يضحك‬literally translates to "nothing that makes one laugh," but the actual
meaning is "there's nothing funny about it."
‫الماء الراكد يصدأ‬: (al-maa al-raakid yasdhaa) - Literal meaning: Stagnant water rusts.
Actual meaning: “If you do not use it, you will lose it”.
Solution - Translating idiomatic expressions can be challenging, especially for non-
native speakers, because the figurative or metaphorical meaning of the expression
may not translate directly into another language or culture. It requires not only an
understanding of the literal meanings of the words but also a deeper understanding of
the cultural and linguistic context in which the expression is used. Therefore, when
translating idiomatic expressions, it's important to consider the cultural and linguistic
context and to use an equivalent expression or phrase that conveys the intended
meaning in the target language. A translator or interpreter should have had experience
in both the source and target languages to ensure accurate and culturally appropriate
translations.

Vocabulary: Arabic and English have many differences in their vocabulary. Arabic
has a rich vocabulary that includes many words and expressions that do not have
direct equivalents in English, and vice versa. Here are some examples of Arabic-
English vocabulary differences:
Arabic Vocabulary:
‫( بركة‬barakah) - a term used to describe blessings, good fortune, or divine grace.
There is no direct English equivalent.
"‫مال‬SS‫ "ش‬has several English translations, including "north," "left," and "sinister."
Choosing the correct translation depends on the context in which the word is used.
‫واية‬SS‫( ش‬shawaya) - a grilling or barbeque device used to cook meat,
vegetables, and other foods. In English, the term is "barbeque."
Phonological Problems: Arabic and English also have significant phonological
differences, which can create challenges for translators. Here are some examples of
Arabic-English phonological differences:
Consonants: Arabic has some consonants that don't exist in English, such as the "qaf"
(‫ )ق‬and "ayn" (‫ )ع‬sounds, which can be difficult for English speakers to produce.
Additionally, English has some consonant clusters that don't exist in Arabic, such as
"spl" and "str," which can be challenging for Arabic speakers.

Vowels: Arabic has three short vowels and three long vowels, while English has five
short vowels and five long vowels. Additionally, Arabic has a vowel sound called
"short a" that is similar to the English "uh" sound, but does not exist in English. This
can lead to confusion for English speakers when trying to distinguish between Arabic
words.

Stress and Intonation: Arabic has a complex system of stress and intonation, with
certain syllables being emphasized and others being de-emphasized. English also has
stress and intonation patterns, but they are often different from those found in Arabic.
This can make it difficult for translators to accurately convey the tone and meaning of
a message.

Syllable Structure: Arabic has a relatively simple syllable structure, with most
syllables consisting of a consonant followed by a vowel. English, on the other hand,
has a more complex syllable structure, with many syllables consisting of multiple
consonants and vowels. This can make it challenging for Arabic speakers to produce
and understand English words.
Phonological Differences: The phonological differences highlight the importance of
understanding the sounds and sound patterns of both languages when translating
between Arabic and English. A skilled translator must be able to navigate these
differences and produce translations that accurately convey the intended meaning and
tone of the original message. Additionally, given the potential for miscommunication
and misunderstanding that can result from phonological differences, translators must
be diligent in ensuring that their translations are clear and easy to understand.

Cultural Differences :
Anthropologists suggest that language is culture bound. So, a culture-specific
expression in the SL is translated into a cultural substitute in the TL. There are many
cultural differences between Arabic and English-speaking countries, which can make
translation and communication challenging. Here are some examples of cultural
differences:
Greetings and salutations are an important part of social interaction and can also pose
challenges in translation. Here are some examples of Arabic-English greetings
terminology differences:

Assalamu alaikum (‫ )السالم عليكم‬- a common Arabic greeting that translates to "peace
be upon you." This greeting is often used between Muslims and is accompanied by a
handshake. In English, a similar greeting may be "hello" or "good day."

Ahlan wa sahlan (‫ )أهال وسهال‬- an Arabic phrase that is used to welcome guests. The
phrase can be translated as "welcome" or "hello." In English, a similar greeting may
be "welcome" or "hi there."

Marhaba (‫ )مرحبا‬- an Arabic greeting that can be translated as "hello" or "hi." It is a

more casual greeting that can be used between friends or acquaintances.
Sabah al-khair (‫ )صباح الخير‬- an Arabic greeting used in the morning that translates to
"good morning." In English, a similar greeting may be "good morning" or "good
day."

Ma'as salama (‫ )مع السالمة‬- an Arabic phrase that is used to bid farewell. The phrase
can be translated as "goodbye" or "see you later." In English, a similar phrase may be
"goodbye" or "take care."

These greetings terminology differences highlight the importance of understanding

the cultural and social contexts in which different languages are used. A skilled
translator must be able to navigate these differences to ensure that their translations
accurately convey the intended meaning and tone of the original message.
Additionally, given the importance of greetings and salutations in social interaction,
translators must be sensitive to the potential impact of mistranslations and work to
ensure that their translations are culturally appropriate.
Sentence Structure Differences : Arabic and English have different sentence
structures. In Arabic, the verb typically comes at the beginning of the sentence (VSO)
order, while in English, it comes after the subject (SVO) order. This difference in
sentence structure can make Arabic to English translations sound awkward and
stilted. Translators need to be aware of the differences in sentence structure and use
their creativity and knowledge of both languages to ensure that the translation flows
naturally. Here are some examples:
Arabic Sentence Structure:
‫أكل الولد التفاحة‬. (akala al-walad al-tuffāha) - Literal meaning: The boy ate the apple.
VSO structure: Verb (‫ )أكل‬Subject (‫ )الولد‬Object (‫)التفاحة‬.
English Sentence Structure:
The cat chased the mouse. SVO structure: Subject (The cat) - Verb (chased) - Object
(the mouse).
Note that in Arabic, nouns and adjectives are often inflected for case, gender, and
number, and these inflections can change depending on their role in the sentence (e.g.
subject, object, etc.). Verbs are also inflected for tense, aspect, and mood.
In addition to the basic sentence structure, Arabic also has a complex system of
particles, pronouns, and prepositions that can be used to modify or clarify the
meaning of a sentence. These elements can be placed before or after the word they
modify, and their placement can also affect the emphasis or meaning of the sentence.

Political Terminology : Political terminology can also be challenging to translate

between Arabic and English, as different political systems and cultural contexts have
led to the development of distinct political vocabularies. Here are some examples of
Arabic-English political terminology differences:

Shariah (‫ )شريعة‬- an Arabic term that refers to Islamic law. In English, the term
"Shariah" is commonly used, but may also be translated as "Islamic law."

Emir (‫ )أمير‬- an Arabic term for a prince or ruler. In English, the term "emir" is often
used to refer to a ruler in the Arabian Peninsula, but may be translated as "prince" or
"ruler."

Wali (‫ )ولي‬- an Arabic term for a governor or local administrator. In English, the term
"wali" is often used to refer to a religious leader or saint, but may also be translated
as "governor" or "administrator."

Baath (‫ )بعث‬- an Arabic term for "resurrection" or "renaissance." In English, the term
is commonly used to refer to the Arab nationalist political movement that originated
in Syria and Iraq.

Majlis (‫ )مجلس‬- an Arabic term for a council or assembly. In English, the term
"majlis" is often used to refer to the advisory council of the ruler of the United Arab
Emirates, but may also be translated as "council" or "assembly."
These political terminology differences highlight the importance of understanding the
political systems and cultural contexts of Arabic and English-speaking countries. A
skilled translator must have a deep understanding of the political terminology and
concepts used in both languages to ensure accurate and effective communication.
Additionally, given the potential political sensitivity of these terms, translators must
be careful to ensure that their translations are accurate and culturally appropriate.
Religious Terminology: Religious Terminology can be particularly challenging to
translate between Arabic and English, as many of the terms have deep cultural and
historical significance. Here are some examples of Arabic-English religious
terminology differences:

Allah (‫ )هللا‬- the Arabic word for "God." This term is used exclusively by Muslims and
is not commonly used in English, where the term "God" is used by both Christians
and Muslims.

Inshallah (‫ )إن شاء هللا‬- an Arabic phrase used to express the hope or intention that
something will happen in the future, but only if God wills it. In English, the closest
equivalent may be "God willing."

Zakat (‫ )زكاة‬- an Arabic term for the Islamic practice of giving a portion of one's
wealth to those in need. There is no direct equivalent in English, although the term
"charity" may be used.

Hajj (‫ )الحج‬- an Arabic term for the pilgrimage to Mecca that is required of all
Muslims who are able to make the journey. In English, the term "Hajj" is commonly
used, but may be translated as "pilgrimage."

Jannah (‫ )جنة‬- an Arabic term for "paradise" or "heaven." There is no direct equivalent
in English, although the term "heaven" may be used.
These cultural differences can impact communication and translation, highlighting
the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding when working across
language barriers. A skilled translator must be aware of these cultural differences and
be able to navigate them to ensure effective communication and translation.

SUGGESTIONS FOR TRANSLATION PROBLEMS

Any problems demand a solution. So, without a solution, there is no great or real use
of pinpointing a translation problem. Indeed, without solutions to translation
problems, we stop translating altogether. This is why all problems located in this
work are accompanied by the same time with their possible solutions. In order to be
acceptable, any suggested solutions are made clear, reasonable, feasible, reliable,
applicable, contextual and in the right direction. Otherwise, it will not be acceptable.
The solutions proposed to the translation problems are, therefore, based on the
following criteria:

Considering the context: Arabic is a language with many nuances and subtleties, so
it's important to consider the context of the text you are translating. Understanding
the cultural background, the intended audience, and the purpose of the text can help
you make better translation decisions.

Be aware of idiomatic expressions: Arabic, like any language, has many idiomatic
expressions that may not have an exact equivalent in English. When encountering
such expressions, try to find a way to convey the meaning without being too literal.

Paying attention to grammar: Arabic grammar is very different from English

grammar, so it's important to pay close attention to the structure of sentences when
translating. Be aware of differences in word order, verb tenses, and use of
prepositions.

Keeping the tone and style consistent: The tone and style of the text can vary
widely depending on the context, so it's important to be consistent in your translation.
Make sure that the tone and style of the translation match the original text.
Usage of specialized dictionaries and resources: There are many specialized
dictionaries and resources available for Arabic to English translation, including
technical dictionaries, legal dictionaries, and cultural references. These resources can
be invaluable in helping you accurately translate complex texts.

CONCLUSION
Translation is a very tricky task of linguistics. It has always been a complicated job,
specially transferring the characteristics and properties of two languages belonging to
different origins. Richards, Ivor. Armstrong remarks, “Translation probably is the
most complex type of event yet produced in the evolution of the cosmos”. So,
translating Arabic texts into English necessitates a huge bilingual expertise. More-
over, the cultural and religious influences are very strong in both the languages. It has
been shown that though lexical problems are greater in number, grammatical,
stylistic, usage and phonological problems are not insignificant. For instance, Arabic
has more inflexion than English. Translation programmes at the undergraduate and
postgraduate levels have become a common feature of universities and academic
institutes due to the increasing demand in the job market. Therefore, the charge of
translation teaching is often assigned to bilingual academics specializing in literature
and/or linguistics. Translation is not merely about conveying meaning, it is something
more. Although to resolve the challenges of translating Arabic into English or finding
any straightforward means is in no way an easy task, a comparative study will benefit
the translators, readers, practitioners, learners and teachers in this field with a more
clear-cut information.
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