“White and black” or “black and white”?

Abstract Binomial expressions represent one type of formulaic sequences. Binomials have a distinguishing feature, known as “configuration restrictions” (for example, “black and white” is common in English, but “white and black” is not). However, research on how second language (L2) learners process and acquire such expressions is limited. Even more limited is the research examining how translation trainees handle such expressions when rendering texts to and from their first language. The present study aims to address this gap by examining the determinants of translating binomials into their preferred word order: congruency (similar or different configuration in the source and target language), translation direction, and L2 proficiency level. Eighty-six translation trainees (Arabic-English speakers) translated three types of binomials (“congruent,” “incongruent,” and “novel”) in both directions (from English to Arabic and from Arabic to English). Additionally, they completed a vocabulary test as a rough measure of L2 proficiency. Only congruency predicted the number of natural renderings of binomials; congruent items were rendered into their natural configuration above chance level (i.e., novel binomials). This was consistent regardless of translation direction or L2 proficiency level. These findings carry significant implications for translation education