Linguistic Terminology Translation in Arabic Departments: Analyzing Student Errors and Competence Gaps at El Oued University

ترجمة المصطلحات اللسانية في أقسام اللغة العربية: تحليل أخطاء الطلاب والفجوات الكفائية بجامعة الوادي

Abstract

This study analyzes the translation of English linguistic texts by first-year master's students in the department of Arabic language at the University of El Oued, emphasizing error analysis and the foundational competence gaps that shape students’ translation performance. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach within a qualitative case study framework, the analysis of the translation corpus revealed three interconnected challenges: cognitive-linguistic difficulties in comprehending academic concepts in English due to insufficient foundational knowledge; non-equivalence between Arabic and English terminology resulting from a lack of compatible Arabic equivalents; and strategic insufficiency characterized by over-reliance on literal translation due to unfamiliarity with translation strategies. The findings indicate that these errors form a vicious circle: insufficient understanding leads to an unsuccessful search for equivalents, thereby leading to literal translation. The paper argues that explicit strategy training and curriculum reform are necessary for developing students' translational competence.