Translation of idioms across languages

Abstract

This paper explores the translation of idioms across a set of languages (viz. English, Arabic, French, Kurdish, Persian and Turkish), applying Baker’s (1992/2011) strategies for translating idioms. The study first examines Baker’s strategies as to whether they can be considered a practical model to extrapolate in rendering idioms across languages. Secondly, given the type of strategies employed, the study attempts to find out whether idioms can be treated as a culture-specific or universal phenomenon. The results show that Baker’s strategies require modification to be considered a practical model, and that idioms generally carry properties of the culture in which they emerge.