Bi-Directionality in English-Arabic-English translation of relativization

Abstract

Bi directionality, a common practice in translation industry, refers to the transfer from L2 to L1 (direct translation) or L1 to L2 (inverse translation). Several studies have investigated relativization in direct or inverse translations, but few studies have considered relativization in the two translation directions. Following a hypothesis–based observational design, this study investigated the Arab undergraduates' performance on the direct and inverse translation of relativization. The study sample comprised undergraduates in the College of Languages and Translation (n = 36) and was divided into two groups (students of English and students of translation). The results showed statistically significant differences between students' performance on direct and on inverse translation (t (35) = 14.906, ≤0.05), indicating that inverse translation was more difficult than direct translation. The independent-sample t-test revealed that the students of translation outperformed the English students in direct and inverse translations. Despite the two groups' low performance on inverse translation, both considered that direct and inverse translations were equally 'somewhat difficult’. The paper concluded with suggestions that could guide the design of the translation courses and selecting teaching methods that could improve students’ translation of relativization.