Obstacle that Libyan students face when they subtitle culturally –bound expressions from English to Arabic

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the obstacles that Libyan students face when they subtitle culturally- bound expressions from English to Arabic. Particularly, it aimed at answering the following questions: 1. What are the problems that translators face when they subtitle language expressions within cultural context from English to Arabic? To achieve the goal of this study, the researcher selected a convenient sample of 6 undergraduate students who were enrolled in the English translation during the academic year 2018 in Libyan university. The participants were asked to translate 10 items where each item contained a culture –bound expression. Result of the study revealed that students faced different kinds of difficulties when translating subtitles culturally –bound expressions. These difficulties arise from the fact they subtitle literally and their sensitivity to English culture and to their unfamiliarity with the appropriate translation techniques and finally to their inadequate proficiency in the target language.