Exploring translation methods, strategies and procedures used to overcome linguistic problems in translating proverbs from English into Arabic

This Paper aims to explore effective translation methods used in translating proverbs from English into Arabic. To achieve this goal, the researcher points out three hypothesis. Firstly, linguistic problems resulting from proverb translation have direct effect on translator's ability to find correct equivalents. Secondly, translators do not effectively deal with Linguistic problems when translating proverbs from English into Arabic, and thirdly, the novice translators lack abilities in utilizing translation methods, strategies and procedures. A questionnaire survey for English Language and translation teachers; 54 of them responded to a questionnaire composed of 22 items representing the main hypotheses of the study. The study revealed that Linguistic problems and difficulties are not effectively dealt with by translators in rend proverbs from English into Arabic. The study also revealed that most of translators are not familiar with the effective translation methods and procedures related to proverb translation and idiomatic expressions. Based on the findings of the current study, the researcher recommends that proverbs translators should perhaps be given much more translation practice in general and practical exercises in proverbial expressions to help them to identify the most appropriate translation methods and procedures that best suit the text types, culture-based sayings and idiomatic expressions. Prior to that, courses in theories of translation and translation methods, in particular, are ought to be introduced when designing and preparing course specifications of the related subjects. That would help translators to overcome the linguistic difficulties and problems of proverb translation and hence, produce correct versions in the target language i.e. the Arabic one.