The Translation of Non equivalent terms English into Arabic and Vice Versa

The Translation of Non-equivalent terms: English into Arabic and Vice Versa


Abstract

Equivalence is defined as the term that represents its source language vocabulary in the target language.

However, there are some terms that have no equivalent term in other languages due to cultural or linguistic reasons.

The current study aims to know the methods and strategies required to bridge the gap of non-equivalent terms.


1. The Theoretical Part

1.1. Definition of the Translation

Translation is defined as the process of rendering the meaning and sense of written text or speech from the source language into target language.

1.2. Translation and Equivalence

Translation depends heavily on the equivalence because it represents the focal point of Translation Studies.

Therefore, the translator must be well-versed in transferring the meaning of the vocabulary in question with the employment of the appropriate equivalent terms.





1.3. Context and Equivalence

Context of situation is about reading what comes before and after term in question so as to have a better idea about the equivalent term of the word concerned in the target language. Therefore, it is the butter and bread of the Translation because there are certain terms and ideas cannot be translated without grasping the context.

1.4. Non-Equivalent Terms and Translation

There are some non-equivalent terms faced by many translators especially, the ones who translate literary, scientific and religious texts into target language.

1.4.1. Non-equivalent Terms and literary texts

Literary texts are very rich with non-equivalent terms due to the differences of cultures of the source and target language not to mention the differences on the level of figurative devices and style as well.

1.4.2. Non-equivalent Terms and Scientific Texts

Scientific texts are considered to be very difficult in Translation when it comes to vocabulary because science is always developing and therefore there are failures in translating some scientific terms from source into target language.









1.4.3. Non-equivalent Terms and Religious Texts

Religious texts in general and Qur'anic texts in particular are described as the most unique text types because they are of divine authorship and they embrace significant rules, teachings, visions and thoughts not to mention to miracles. Therefore, finding non-equivalent terms with regard to such terms is inevitable.

2. The Practical Part

It is about presenting the appropriate methods of and strategies that can help translators bridge the gap of non-equivalent terms in translation.

2.1. Methods of Translation

There are many methods of translation employed when there is no equivalence in the target language, they are as follows:

2.1.1. Transliteration Method

It is defined as the process of using target language letters transcriptions in describing the words in question of the source language. In other words, the transliteration method keeps the pronunciations of the source language words in the target language. The following examples explain the method whose name is mentioned above.

عده : Idah
عمرة: omrah
حج: hajj
Paracetamol: براسيتمول
Aspirin: أسبرين
Panadol: بنادول


2.1.2. The Footnote or Explanatory Method Translation

It is described as the process of defining the term in a meaningful statement under the topic or explaining its nature in the body of the text.

يعزف علي على الة الربابة.

Ali plays Al-Rababa: it is a violin like musical instrument used by the musician in parties in the Arab communities.

اكل محمد الفلافل.

Mohammad ate Falafil it is a combination of humous and kamoon fried in the pan and it is served in french breads as snacks.





















Conclusion

The researcher reached the following conclusion, they are follows:

The non-equivalent terms are inevitable in the translation process due to the cultural differences between source language and target language as well not to mention the development of language.

It is constitutes a big difficulty. However, there are significant methods of translation that can help translators bridge the gap of non-equivalent terms between languages, they are follows: Transliteration and Footnote (Explanatory) Methods of Translation.

Versa