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Article published In: FORUM
Vol. 24:1 (2026) ► pp.87–108

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Decoding the unspoken

Pragmatic and cultural challenges in translating Arabic proverbs into English

ORCiD logo with link | An-Najah National University
Published online: 11 March 2026
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/forum.25014.she
Abstract
This paper investigates challenges in translating context-based Arabic proverbs into English, using Naguib Mahfouz’s novels (Ziqaq Al-Midaq, Awlad Haritna) and their professional translations. Employing a descriptive analytical methodology grounded in pragmatic principles, the study analyzes 15 selected examples, scrutinizing how translators handle semantic-pragmatic divergence, cultural specificity, complex linguistic features (metaphor, irony), and religious connotations. Findings emphasize the power of context in determining a proverb’s operative meaning and reveal the general inadequacy of literal translation strategies for capturing the intended communicative force, or implicature. Obstacles include subtle irony recognition, deciphering culturally-bound metaphors, bridging disparate religious/social knowledge systems, and preserving linguistic artistry. The paper stresses prioritizing pragmatic equivalence and cultural sensitivity, calling for flexible, context-driven, and pragmatically-informed methods to achieve effective cross-cultural communication when translating Arabic proverbs into English.
Résumé
Cet article examine les défis liés à la traduction en anglais de proverbes arabes dépendants du contexte, à partir des romans de Naguib Mahfouz (Ziqaq al-Midaq, Awlad Haritna) et de leurs traductions professionnelles. Adoptant une méthodologie analytique et descriptive fondée sur les principes de la pragmatique, l’étude analyse quinze exemples sélectionnés en examinant la manière dont les traducteurs traitent les divergences sémantico-pragmatiques, la spécificité culturelle, les caractéristiques linguistiques complexes (métaphore, ironie) ainsi que les connotations religieuses. Les résultats soulignent le rôle déterminant du contexte dans la construction du sens opératoire du proverbe et mettent en évidence l’inadéquation générale des stratégies de traduction littérale pour restituer la force communicative visée, ou l’implicature. Les principales difficultés relevées concernent la reconnaissance de l’ironie subtile, l’interprétation des métaphores culturellement marquées, le rapprochement de systèmes de savoir religieux et social divergents, ainsi que la préservation de l’esthétique linguistique. L’article plaide en faveur d’une priorité accordée à l’équivalence pragmatique et à la sensibilité culturelle, et appelle à l’adoption de méthodes souples, contextualisées et fondées sur la pragmatique afin d’assurer une communication interculturelle efficace dans la traduction des proverbes arabes vers l’anglais.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
  • 3.Methodology
  • 4.Data analysis and discussion
    • 4.1Translation of ironical proverbs
    • 4.2Translation of metaphorical proverbs
    • 4.3Proverbs with religious references
    • 4.4Translating proverb’s formal features
    • 4.5Balancing fidelity and function in proverb translation
    • 4.6Translation of wisdom proverbial expressions
  • 5.Conclusion
  • References
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