Diglossia Challenges in Arabic Translation: Navigating Linguistic Duality in Contemporary Translation Practice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31185/lark.4478Keywords:
Arabic diglossia, translation studies, Modern Standard Arabic, dialectal Arabic, code-switching, translation technology, cultural adaptation, linguistic dualityAbstract
This paper investigates the various problems of Arabic diglossia vis-à-vis translators. In the case of Arabic, translational duality is manifested through Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and numerous regional dialects and translators who work between Arabic and other languages. Drawing on theoretical approaches, linguistic insights, and case studies, this study explores the degree to which the Arab diglossic situation influences the process of translation in literature, media, science, and the internet. The paper highlights central methods to bridge the gap from MSA to the dialects. That includes code-switching attitudes, contextual adaptation and IT solutions. Combining ongoing research and translation practices, it aims to provide insights into Arabic diglossia for an understanding of this complex phenomenon, along with practical strategies for handling it in professional translation. The implications of these findings suggest that translators should enhance their diglossic consciousness and adopt a strategy of adaptation to effectively shift from one Arabic variety to the other, maintaining their own cultural and linguistic identities.
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