Arabic-English translation of cultural concepts by students of Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Loading...
Date
2019-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, college of Education,open and distance -learning.
Abstract
The study investigated the constraints faced by Ugandan students in the translation of cultural
concepts in Arabic and Englishand also into their local languages. The theory that grounded this
research was Newmark’s theory (1988). The objectives of the study were to identify the
difficulties in translating cultural concepts in Arabic/ English translation; to analyze the origin of
the cultural concepts in the students’ local languages, and to determine the procedures for better
understanding of cultural concepts. A descriptive and analytic design was used as a research
design. A non-probability sampling method was used, that is, thepurposive sampling technique
to determine the sample size of the study; whereby 10 lecturers and 50 respondents served as
research subjects.In view of the fact that an interview was used for the lecturers while self-structured
translation test containing two sections for data extraction, the study came out with the findings that most
students have problems in translating cultural concepts and limited background knowledge about the
culture of the Arabic language. In view of the above findings, the study recommended that there is need
for accumulative use of cultural concepts and procedures; It is imperative that translators have more
knowledge of the background of target language speakers and avoid using literal translation; misuse of
the appropriate lexical words; linguistic, stylistic, and grammatical mistakes; and unfamiliarity with
translation strategies and techniques.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the college of higher degrees and research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of master degree of arts in linguistics, Kampala International University
Keywords
Arabic-English translation, Cultural concepts, Students, Makerere University, Uganda