Translating Saudi Najdi Dialect Proverbs into English: Challenges and Strategies for Preserving Cultural Meaning

Abstract

  This study explores the linguistic and cultural challenges of translating Najdi proverbs into English, focusing on strategies that preserve their cultural richness and semantic depth. Najdi proverbs are deeply rooted in the social norms, historical contexts, and metaphorical traditions of central Saudi Arabia, posing unique challenges for translators due to their idiomatic and culturally specific nature. Using a qualitative approach, the research analyzed 100 Najdi proverbs collected through interviews with native speakers and documented folklore. Each proverb was systematically translated into English, employing strategies such as dynamic equivalence, paraphrasing, and cultural substitution. The findings reveal that while literal translations often fail to capture the proverbs’ intended meaning and emotional resonance, adaptive strategies enable effective communication of their core messages to English-speaking audiences. Dynamic equivalence emerged as a particularly effective strategy for preserving the proverbs’ emotional and cultural impact, while cultural substitution bridged gaps where metaphors were inaccessible to the target audience. A key contribution of this study is its practical implication for creating a Najdi Proverbs Glossary. This resource would document proverbs with their translations, cultural annotations, and contextual explanations, serving as a valuable tool for translators, educators, and researchers. The glossary could also be integrated into online translation tools, enhancing their ability to produce culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate translations. Future research could expand on this work by developing digital tools for dialectal translation, conducting comparative studies of proverbs from other Saudi dialects, and analyzing the reception of translated proverbs among non-native audiences. By addressing the complexities of dialectal translation and promoting cultural sensitivity, this study supports efforts to document Saudi cultural heritage and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of preserving and sharing the nation’s rich linguistic diversity with a global audience.