Translating Idioms Using Internet-based Translators: Pros And Cos

Résumé: Learning a new target language is a process in which students cannot get involved unless they go through translation; they tend to translate words, phrases and whole collocations. In this sense, the translation of idioms may present a major challenge and a source of error, especially these days since most learners tend to use the rapidly applicable internet-based translators such as “Google Translation” and “Reverso”. Henceforth, the present study is an attempt to show the efficiency/non-efficiency of such a kind of translation in relation to idioms. Giving concrete examples, it is claimed that these applications are useful only in case there are similarities between the idioms used in the mother tongue/culture and the target language/culture. However, in case idioms imbed different cultural perspectives or indirect implications, translation results in a complete loss of the meaning, if not a meaning that increases cultural misunderstanding and conflict.

Publié dans la revue: Revue internationale de Traduction Moderne