Difficulties in Translating English Idioms into Arabic: An Analytical-Descriptive Study of Undergraduate EFL Students at Azzaytuna University

Abstract

This analytical-descriptive study investigates the challenges faced by undergraduate students in translating English idioms into Arabic. Conducted at the English Language Department, Faculty of Languages and Translation, Azzaytuna University, the research involved sixteen participants who completed a test consisting of twenty English idiomatic expressions for translation into Arabic. The findings conclusively indicate that English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students lack the necessary tools and skills for accurate idiomatic translation, often resorting to literal translations or failing to provide any equivalent. This suggests a critical need for enhanced pedagogical approaches to address the linguistic and cultural nuances inherent in idiomatic expressions, ultimately aiming to improve students' translation proficiency and overall communicative competence.