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Article published In: FORUM
Vol. 23:1 (2025) ► pp.107–128

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Navigating body-part idioms

Conceptual translation strategies in English and Arabic

ORCiD logo with link | Cadi Ayyad UniversityMarrakech
 | Cadi Ayyad UniversityMarrakech
 | Cadi Ayyad UniversityMarrakech
Published online: 18 March 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.24008.ely
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.
Résumé
Les expressions idiomatiques sont des expressions fixes, non composées, propres à une langue particulière et dont le sens ne peut être traduit littéralement. En raison de leur nature opaque, les expressions idiomatiques sont difficiles à comprendre par leurs unités constitutives, ce qui rend la traduction difficile car le sens peut être incompréhensible. S’il existe une expression idiomatique équivalente dans la langue cible, nous l’utilisons. S’il n’y en a pas, il faut le paraphraser de manière à préserver son sens transparent et figuré. Les stratégies de Baker serviront de base pour la traduction des idiomes anglais et arabes. Nous soutenons que les fonctions conceptuelles de la partie du corps font allusion au sens voulu, ce qui permet d’explorer la traduisibilité et la compréhension des expressions idiomatiques.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Definition of idiom
    • 2.2Idioms and translation
    • 2.3Equivalence in translation
  • 3.Methodology
  • 4.Dataset
  • 5.Analysis
    • 5.1Using an idiom of similar meaning and form
    • 5.2Using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form
    • 5.3Paraphrasing
    • 5.4Omission
    • 5.5Compensation
  • 6.Discussion and conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
References (44)
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