A Critical Analysis of The Problems of Translating Children's Literature from English into Arabic

"تحليل نقدي لإشكاليات ترجمة أدب الطفل من اللغة الإنجليزية إلى اللغة العربية"

Abstract

This study explores the application of translation in the context of literary texts, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by students when translating from English to Arabic. Employing both descriptive and analytical methodologies, the researcher provides a comprehensive overview of the cultural and literary backgrounds of the English and Arabic languages. The study also examines the responses of 21 students regarding their experience with an Arabic translation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, highlighting their difficulties in understanding the text’s meaning. The findings reveal that while most participants encountered comprehension challenges, they nonetheless enjoyed reading the translated literary work. Furthermore, the students expressed a belief that engaging with translated literature contributes to the enhancement of their language skills and vocabulary development in English.