Exploring the Translatability of English Neologisms: A Case Study on Translation Master's Students at The Libyan Academy in Al-Bayda and Benghazi Campuses

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the challenges encountered by M.A. translation students in translating English neologisms into Arabic. It also aims to identify the translation strategies they employ. To achieve the objectives of the study, a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data was adopted. A translation test consisting of 20 neologisms and a questionnaire were distributed to 25 advanced translation master’s students enrolled in the Libyan Academy. The frequency of each translation strategy was analyzed based on Newmark’s (1988) proposed strategies for translating neologisms. The findings revealed that the students utilized different strategies to translate English neologisms into Arabic, with literal translation being the most frequently used, followed by descriptive equivalent, couplets, transference, and functional equivalent. The findings also showed that most students faced challenges during the translation process, mainly due to unfamiliarity with certain neologisms, difficulties in finding suitable Arabic equivalents, the absence of these terms in Arabic dictionaries, and cultural differences. This study's findings have implications for translation pedagogy, highlighting the need for targeted training in neologisms translation