TRANSLATION OF CULTURAL TERMS FROM URDU INTO ENGLISH: PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIES

Abstract

This study examined the translation of cultural terms from Urdu into English with a focus on problems and strategies. The main purposes were identification of major types of cultural terms in selected Urdu texts, analysis of problems of translation in English, and recommendations for the solutions of the problems. This study employed qualitative research method. Urdu short stories, novel, dramas, newspapers, speeches, and daily conversations were the sources of collection of data. For the purpose of analysis, 20 Urdu cultural terms were chosen; these were analyzed in the light of the theory of cultural translation proposed by Newmark. The results revealed that Urdu cultural terms had connection with religion, food, dress, custom, festivals, family relations, social values and traditional practices. Major problems in translation were the lack of equivalence, lack of cultural meaning, misinterpretation in context, and lack of equivalents in English. The study proposed transference, description equivalent, functional equivalent, cultural equivalent, paraphrase and explanation as effective strategies for accurate translation