Translation Problems of Some Prophetic Speeches Related to Ethics of Food & Drinks among 4th level EFL Students at Women's Collage/Hadhramout University

Abstract

The present study aims at investigating the cultural problems the 4th level EFL students at Women's College/ Hadhramout University face when they translate from Arabic into English Prophetic Speeches particularly those related to ethics of having foods and drinks . Further, it seeks to present solutions to overcome these problems. To achieve the aims of this study, the researchers conveniently select a sample consisting of 43 students enrolled in the B.A program in the second semester 2017/2018. The researchers design a questionnaire that consists of ten items taken from Prophetic Speeches (Hadiths). Each item is followed by three translation alternatives ; the students have to select the most appropriate translations of each item. In addition, a space is provided for each item for the students in case they have other translations that may differ from the alternatives provided. The findings of this study reveal that students face some translation problems such as: applying literal translation, using inappropriate equivalent for certain lexical items of Prophetic Speeches, focussing on transferring only the denotative meaning and ignoring the connotative meaning of the SL expressions, i.e., Prophetic Speeches and ignoring the meaning of the SL punctuation marks. Further, the findings indicate that these problems are caused by (1) differences between the SL and TL linguistic systems ; (2) the lack of awareness of the importance of the context in translation; and (3) the lack of background knowledge of culture in general and religious issues in particular. In the light of these findings, the researchers suggest some recommendations such as: (1) Students should do many practices to understand and know all translation techniques, strategies, and methods that could help them in tackling the translation of religious texts in general and Prophetic Speeches in particular. (2) Students should opt for finding the functional equivalent of Prophetic Speeches and conveying their denotative as well as connotative meaning. (3) Students should avoid word-for-word and literal translation since Arabic and English differ in their cultures, structures, and religious conceptions.