The Untranslatable Idiom
You are translating a speech from Arabic to English for an international audience. The speaker uses the idiom 'يضع العصا في العجلة' (literally: puts the stick in the wheel). You know it means to obstruct or hinder progress. However, a literal translation would confuse the audience. You must decide whether to translate it literally with an explanation, or to use an equivalent English idiom like 'to throw a spanner in the works', or to paraphrase it as 'to obstruct'. You also consider the tone of the speech: it is formal and the speaker is criticizing a policy. The audience includes diplomats and journalists. You want to preserve the speaker's meaning and tone without causing misunderstanding.
1. What is the best translation strategy for this idiom in this context?
Read the worked answer
The best strategy is to use an equivalent English idiom that conveys the same meaning and tone, such as 'to throw a spanner in the works' or 'to put a spoke in someone's wheel'. This preserves the metaphorical nature of the original and is easily understood by the audience. A literal translation would be confusing and might distract from the message. A simple paraphrase like 'to obstruct' loses the vividness. Since the speech is formal and critical, the idiom should match that register. Using an English idiom maintains the rhetorical effect. However, if the idiom is culturally specific and the audience might appreciate the Arabic flavor, a literal translation with a brief explanation could be considered, but in a formal speech, fluency is prioritized.
2. How would you handle the translation if the idiom appeared in a written document for a legal context?
Read the worked answer
In a legal context, clarity and precision are paramount. Idioms are generally avoided in legal documents. Therefore, the best approach is to translate the meaning directly and unambiguously, e.g., 'to intentionally obstruct or hinder'. A literal translation or an English idiom would be inappropriate because it could introduce ambiguity. The translation should convey the intended meaning without metaphor. If the idiom is part of a quoted statement, you might translate it literally and add a footnote explaining its meaning, but in the main text, use plain language. This ensures the legal document is clear and enforceable.