The Use of Circumlocution in Translating Medical Terms on TED Platform into Arabic: The Causal Model Approach

Abstract

There are three strategies for translating specialized terms: borrowing, circumlocution, and neologism. Out of 253 terms taken from 19 videos on TED Platform, 144 terms were translated using circumlocution. Hence, the present paper aims to explore the following research problem: why do TED translators opt for circumlocution as main strategy? The paper's originality stems from the fact that it tests the applicability of the causal model (Chasterman 2000) in the study of terminology translation. The study hypothesizes that the causal model can bring more insights into the analysis of the translator's choices. It follows a methodology that consists of two phases: 1). the analysis of the translator's cognition, translation event, and socio-cultural factors; 2) the analysis of terms’ translation. The study reveals that circumlocution is over-used because of: the absence of instructions on TED guidelines, the explanatory nature of the Arabic language, and the assumptions of translators about the audience.