Subtitling Religious Expressions from Arabic into English in the Message Film

Background: Translating religious content from one language to another is not an easy task, attributed to linguistic and cultural differences, and the necessity to express the intended meaning accurately and concisely. Purpose: The study explores the challenges in the process of subtitling religious expressions in the Arabic version of the film "The Message" into English. Methodology: Data were analyzed qualitatively, based on Gottlib's (1992) strategies. Findings: The findings of this research shed light on the pressing need to develop strategies that help overcome the linguistic and cultural barriers faced by English-speaking audiences, who may not have sufficient knowledge of Islamic concepts. Research implications: The study emphasizes that translating religious expressions requires proficient language skills and deep cultural awareness, with the aim of preserving the religious and cultural dimensions rooted in the Arabic text within the framework of the English translation.