Chapter 3. Terminology and translation in Arabic
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Hassan Hamzé
Abstract
Much of scientific and technical terminology is developed outside of the Arabic world. Therefore, translation, in all its various aspects, seems to be the only means of creating terminology in Arabic. Borrowings, derivations and semantic transfers are used by terminologists and translators, as each Arabic translator is also, by desire or by necessity, a terminologist. Consequently, Western terminological problems are rampant in Arabic. There are three reasons for the major shortcomings that characterize terminology in Arabic translations: (1) Western is consider terminology as an ideal terminology with a one-to-one relation between concept and term, (2) the linguistic aspect is considered as a priority because term is confused with concept, and (3) the terms in bilingual lists are considered as static units which are cut from the textual canvas in which they are used. Consequently, many translated texts are illegible or difficult to digest. There is an abundance of foreign terms and terms coined by individuals. Translation seems to be a mere transcoding operation.
Abstract
Much of scientific and technical terminology is developed outside of the Arabic world. Therefore, translation, in all its various aspects, seems to be the only means of creating terminology in Arabic. Borrowings, derivations and semantic transfers are used by terminologists and translators, as each Arabic translator is also, by desire or by necessity, a terminologist. Consequently, Western terminological problems are rampant in Arabic. There are three reasons for the major shortcomings that characterize terminology in Arabic translations: (1) Western is consider terminology as an ideal terminology with a one-to-one relation between concept and term, (2) the linguistic aspect is considered as a priority because term is confused with concept, and (3) the terms in bilingual lists are considered as static units which are cut from the textual canvas in which they are used. Consequently, many translated texts are illegible or difficult to digest. There is an abundance of foreign terms and terms coined by individuals. Translation seems to be a mere transcoding operation.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. The history of Arabic lexicography and terminology 7
- Chapter 2. Terminology standardization in the Arab world 31
- Chapter 3. Terminology and translation in Arabic 59
- Chapter 4. Medical terminology in the Western world 83
- Chapter 5. Medical terminology in the Arab world 109
- Chapter 6. The dilemma of legal terminology in the Arab world 139
- Chapter 7. There is nothing like Him 155
- Chapter 8. Sufi terminology and aspects of interaction with symbols 181
- Chapter 9. Linguistic inferiority in software localization 217
- Chapter 10. Covering linguistic variability in Arabic 235
- List of contributors 255
- Index 259
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. The history of Arabic lexicography and terminology 7
- Chapter 2. Terminology standardization in the Arab world 31
- Chapter 3. Terminology and translation in Arabic 59
- Chapter 4. Medical terminology in the Western world 83
- Chapter 5. Medical terminology in the Arab world 109
- Chapter 6. The dilemma of legal terminology in the Arab world 139
- Chapter 7. There is nothing like Him 155
- Chapter 8. Sufi terminology and aspects of interaction with symbols 181
- Chapter 9. Linguistic inferiority in software localization 217
- Chapter 10. Covering linguistic variability in Arabic 235
- List of contributors 255
- Index 259
