Understanding the Challenges and Difficulties of English-Arabic Idiom Translation: Insights From Students

Abstract

The translation of idiomatic expressions from English into Arabic constitutes one of the most demanding tasks for translation students, primarily because idioms are deeply rooted in linguistic structure, cultural symbolism, and contextual usage. Unlike literal expressions, idioms convey figurative meanings that cannot be understood through word-for-word interpretation. As a result, students often encounter significant obstacles when attempting to render them accurately in Arabic. This study investigates these challenges through a survey administered to 50 translation students, aiming to evaluate their comprehension of idioms, their translation strategies, and their perceived level of confidence in dealing with such expressions. The research explores several dimensions, including students’ exposure to idiomatic expressions in academic settings, their familiarity with equivalent Arabic idioms, and the strategies they employ when direct equivalents are unavailable. Findings indicate that although idioms are frequently encountered in literary texts, media discourse, and classroom materials, many students struggle to grasp their figurative meanings and embedded cultural references. The survey results show that 80% of participants experience difficulty in identifying appropriate Arabic equivalents, while 70% report challenges in conveying the cultural context underlying English idioms. These figures demonstrate that the problem extends beyond vocabulary knowledge to include cultural competence and pragmatic awareness. Moreover, performance-based responses reveal varying levels of translation accuracy. Familiar or widely used idioms tend to be translated more successfully, whereas less common or culturally specific expressions often result in literal translations that distort the intended meaning. The findings The translation of idiomatic expressions from English into Arabic constitutes one of the most demanding tasks for translation students, primarily because idioms are deeply rooted in linguistic structure, cultural symbolism, and contextual usage. Unlike literal expressions, idioms convey figurative meanings that cannot be understood through word-for-word interpretation. As a result, students often encounter significant obstacles when attempting to render them accurately in Arabic. This study investigates these challenges through a survey administered to 50 translation students, aiming to evaluate their comprehension of idioms, their translation strategies, and their perceived level of confidence in dealing with such expressions. The research explores several dimensions, including students’ exposure to idiomatic expressions in academic settings, their familiarity with equivalent Arabic idioms, and the strategies they employ when direct equivalents are unavailable. Findings indicate that although idioms are frequently encountered in literary texts, media discourse, and classroom materials, many students struggle to grasp their figurative meanings and embedded cultural references. The survey results show that 80% of participants experience difficulty in identifying appropriate Arabic equivalents, while 70% report challenges in conveying the cultural context underlying English idioms. These figures demonstrate that the problem extends beyond vocabulary knowledge to include cultural competence and pragmatic awareness. Moreover, performance-based responses reveal varying levels of translation accuracy. Familiar or widely used idioms tend to be translated more successfully, whereas less common or culturally specific expressions often result in literal translations that distort the intended meaning. The findings