Cultural Challenges in English–Arabic Translation: University Students’ Perspectives at the University of Benghazi
This study examines the impact of cultural differences on the translation of literary texts from English into Arabic, focusing on fourth-semester students in the Department of English at the University of Benghazi – Al-Abyar Branch. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 40 students. The study aims to identify the main cultural challenges encountered in translation, assess their effect on translation quality, and explore the strategies employed to address these challenges. The findings reveal that cultural competence is essential for effective translation and that literal translation often fails to convey culturally embedded meanings. Idioms, proverbs, social customs, and religious references were identified as the most challenging elements. The study concludes that successful translation requires cultural awareness alongside linguistic proficiency.