Arabic-English Translation of Cultural Concepts by Students of Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

ABSTRACT 

The study investigated the constraints faced by Ugandan students in the translation of cultural concepts in Arabic and English and 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, the purposive 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.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i

APPROVAL .................................................................................................................................... i

DEDICATION................................................................................................................................ ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. iv

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS......................................................................................................... v

TABLE OF CONTENT................................................................................................................. vi

LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................................... x

ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................. xii

CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1

1.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of the Study .......................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective ............................................................................................................ 3

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective.......................................................................................................... 4

1.1.3 Conceptual perspective .......................................................................................................... 6

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective........................................................................................................... 7

1.2 Statement of the Problem.......................................................................................................... 7

1.3 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................. 8

1.4 Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 8

1.5 Research Questions................................................................................................................... 8

1.6 Hypothesis....................................................................................

1.7 Scope of the Study .................................................................................................................... 8

1.7.1 Geographical Scope ............................................................................................................... 8

1.7.2 Content Scope ...................................................................................................................... 9

1.7.3 Time scope ............................................................................................................................. 9

1.7.2 Theoretical Scope................................................................................................................... 9

CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 9

LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 10

2.1. Theoretical Review................................................................................................................ 10

2.2 Conceptual Framework........................................................................................................... 20

2.3 Literature Review.................................................................................................................... 21

2.3.1 Translation Strategies: Newmark’s strategies (1988).......................................................... 22

2.3 Newmark’s Translation Procedures.............................................

2.3.1 Transference......................................................................................................................... 45

2.3.2 Naturalization....................................................................................................................... 45

2.3.3 Use of a Cultural Equivalent................................................................................................ 45

2.3.4 Use of a Functional Equivalent.................................................

3.3.5 Use of a Descriptive Equivalent ...............................................

2.3.6 Componential Analysis.............................................................

CHAPTER THREE.................................................................................................................... 54

METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................... 55

3.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 55

3.1 Research Design...................................................................................................................... 55

3.2 Sampling Technique ............................................................................................................... 55

3.3 Research Population................................................................................................................. 55

The research targets the 50 students who specialize in English and Arabic languages and lecturers....................... 55

3.4 Data for the Study ................................................................................................................... 56

3.5 Validity of the Instruments ..................................................................................................... 56

3.6 Data Collection ....................................................................................................................... 56

3.7. Research Instrument............................................................................................................... 56

3.8 Validity ................................................................................................................................... 56

3.11Reliability............................................................................................................................... 57

3.12 Data Analysis........................................................................................................................ 57

3.11. Ethical consideration............................................................................................................ 57

CHAPTER FOUR....................................................................................................................... 58

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS ........... 58

4.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 58

4.1 Response Rate......................................................................................................................... 58

4.2 Demographic Data for both teachers and students ................................................................. 58

4.3.2Students’ Demographic Data:............................................................................................... 59

4.4 Lecturers’ Demographic Data................................................................................................. 60

4.3.1 Test for the students............................................................................................................. 62

CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................ 81

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................... 81

5.1. Introduction............................................................................................................................ 81

5.2. Discussion of the Findings..................................................................................................... 81

5.2.1 What are the main problems faced by students in translating from Arabic to English?....... 81

5.2.2 What are the origins of cultural concepts acquired by students?......................................... 82

5.2.3 What are the procedures used for better understanding of cultural concepts? .................... 82

5.3 Conclusions............................................................................................................................. 84

5.4. Recommendations.................................................................................................................. 85

5.5. Suggestions for Further Research .......................................................................................... 86

REFERENCES............................................................................................................................ 86

APPENDIX I: ............................................................................................................................... 97

APPENDIX II:.............................................................................................................................. 98

APPENDIX III............................................................................................................................ 100

APPENDIX IV............................................................................................................................ 102

APPENDIX V............................................................................................................................. 105

APPENDIX VI............................................................................................................................ 107