The Impact of Tamil Translations on Arabic Language Acquisition among Tamil-Speaking Learners in Sri Lanka: An Analytical Study

Tamil translations may facilitate Arabic language acquisition among Tamil-speaking learners in Sri Lanka; however, their effectiveness as a learning resource requires further examination. This research aims to analyse the contribution of Tamil translations to Arabic language learning, assess their role in improving vocabulary comprehension, and identify the strategies and challenges associated with their use. A descriptive-analytical approach was adopted, with a questionnaire comprising 20 questions across nine thematic areas administered to students learning Arabic at government universities in Sri Lanka. The findings indicate that translated books serve as valuable supplementary resources, particularly in clarifying unfamiliar vocabulary and facilitating the comprehension of Arabic texts. Learners demonstrate considerable confidence in translated materials and compare them with original Arabic texts only to a limited extent. Furthermore, the findings report a 97% correspondence rate between translated lexical equivalents and source-language words. Translators reportedly employ a combination of literal, interpretive, abridged, and adaptive translation strategies to address linguistic and semantic challenges. These findings highlight the pedagogical potential of Tamil translations in supporting Arabic language acquisition. The research recommends improving translation quality, developing bilingual educational resources, and integrating translated materials with original Arabic texts to enhance learners’ linguistic competence and promote effective Arabic language learning in Sri Lanka.