Select a source text in your second language and its published translation in to your first language.

Assignment Brief

Select a source text in your second language and its published translation in to your first language. Discuss to what extent it is a successful translation from a functionalist perspective. You should analyse specific examples from your ST-TT pair by engaging with appropriate theories studied within this module.

NOTICE:

My first language is Arabic. The ST must be in English and the TT in Arabic. saying this it means that the writer must be well familiar with Arabic. 

What kind of appropriate types of text to analyse?

Texts whose function has played a considerate role in the translation choices (children’s literature, tourists’ guides, marketing material etc.)

Sample Answer

A Functionality-Based Analysis of the Arabic Translation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Introduction

Translation is not just about changing words from one language to another. It is about making sure that the message, purpose, and meaning of the original text are carried over in a way that suits the new audience. This is what the functionalist approach to translation focuses on. In this essay, I will examine how the popular English children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle has been translated into Arabic. I will discuss if the Arabic translation is successful based on the Skopos theory, which is a major part of the functionalist approach. I will use examples from both the English source text (ST) and Arabic target text (TT) to support my analysis.

Functionalist Translation Theory

The Skopos theory, developed by Hans Vermeer, is one of the most important theories in the functionalist school. According to this theory, the most important thing in translation is the purpose (skopos) of the text. This means the translator must focus on what the text is meant to do in the target culture. For example, a children’s book should entertain and educate children, while an advert should sell a product. The translator can make changes to the text as long as the function is respected in the new language.

Purpose of the Source Text

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a colourful and simple story that teaches young children how a caterpillar grows into a butterfly. It also teaches numbers, days of the week, and different types of food. The book uses simple and repetitive language, big illustrations, and a fun tone to keep children engaged. The Arabic translation needs to keep these functions , education, fun, and ease of reading , to be considered successful.

Example 1: Simplicity of Language

In English, the author uses very simple phrases like:

“On Monday, he ate through one apple.”

In Arabic, this becomes:

"في يوم الاثنين، أكل تفاحة واحدة."

This translation keeps the sentence structure simple and direct. The child can easily understand the words and follow the pattern for each day of the week. This shows that the translator respected the function of educating and entertaining young readers by keeping the text clear and rhythmic.

Example 2: Days of the Week and Cultural Appropriateness

The days of the week are directly translated as:

Monday = الاثنين
Tuesday = الثلاثاء
… and so on.

In Arabic culture, the week starts on Sunday, not Monday. But the translator keeps the original English structure starting from Monday. This is a good decision because it stays faithful to the structure of the original book, which is important for learning numbers and sequencing in a global educational context. Also, many Arabic-speaking schools follow the international Monday-to-Sunday pattern when teaching English books. So the choice respects the function of teaching, not just translating literally.

Example 3: Food Items

In English:

“He ate through one slice of Swiss cheese.”

In Arabic:

"أكل شريحة من جبنة سويسرية."

This translation is literal and clear. The translator keeps the food item even though Swiss cheese is not common in Arab households. Some might argue the translator could have used a more familiar cheese, but because the aim is to expose children to different cultures and foods, this decision supports the educational function of the book.

However, in more culturally specific items like “salami,” some translations do change the word to something more familiar like “نقانق” (sausages). This shows the translator balances faithfulness to the original with cultural relevance when needed.

Example 4: Repetitive Structure

The book uses repetition to help children learn. For example:

“He was still hungry.”

This line is repeated after each food list. In Arabic, it becomes:

"وما زال جائعًا."

This keeps the rhythm and helps children follow the story easily. The repetition is effective and mirrors the original structure, maintaining the child-friendly tone and educational goal.

Continued...