Navigating body-part idioms

Abstract Idioms are fixed, non-compositional expressions unique to a particular language whose meanings cannot be translated literally. Due to their opaque nature, idioms are difficult to understand by their constituent units, making translation challenging as the meaning may be incomprehensible. If there is an equivalent idiom in the target language, we use that equivalent. If there is none, it must be paraphrased in a way that preserves its transparent and figurative meaning. Baker’s strategies will be the basis for the translation of English and Arabic idioms. We argue that the conceptual functions of the body part allude to the intended meaning, allowing for an exploration of idioms’ translatability and comprehension.