Difficulties Encountered by Postgraduate Translation Students in Translating English–Arabic Banking Terminology

Abstract

The present research paper investigates the challenges faced by postgraduate translation students at Yemeni universities when translating banking terminology from English into Arabic. It also identifies the main reasons behind these challenges and proposes effective solutions. It adopts the descriptive analytical method employing the qualitative-quantitative approach. For data collection, the research employed three instruments to achieve its objectives. Firstly, a test, including thirty-four diversified English banking terms, was conducted to examine the challenges encountered by postgraduate translation students. Secondly, a close-ended questionnaire was administered to postgraduate translation students to find out the main reasons behind these challenges. The questionnaire comprised fifteen statements. Thirdly, another closed-ended questionnaire with twenty-six statements was used to identify solutions for these challenges. The research findings revealed that postgraduate translation students face significant lexical challenges when translating banking terminology. This is primarily due to their limited knowledge and inadequate training in commercial translation in general, and banking terminology in particular. The findings presented effective solutions and recommendations to overcome these difficulties, emphasizing the need for students to possess sufficient practical knowledge and employ appropriate strategies when translating banking terms.