Challenges in translating Iraqi colloquial color expressions into English
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25130/Lang.9.3.P2.8Abstract
Since colors’ connotations are culturally variable, a certain color that means something in a language might mean something else in another. Thus, individuals with different cultural backgrounds may understand and perceive colors differently in association with their specific cultural connotations. In Iraqi dialect, color terms often reflect social, emotional, and environmental dimensions that may not have direct equivalents in English. Thus, this study will explore the challenges inherent in translating color expressions used in the Iraqi colloquial Arabic context into English. This study employs a qualitative approach, analyzing a total of (6) color expressions used in daily communication and translated by (5) MA candidates in translation department, college of Arts, University of Tikrit. The findings highlight the challenges translators face in conveying not only the linguistic meaning but also the cultural significance of color expressions. By providing insights into the nuances of Iraqi color terminology, this study contributes to the field of translation studies by emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in the translation process.
Keywords: color expressions, challenges, cultural connotations, Iraqi colloquial context, translation,
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