Cultural Pragmatics in Translating Saudi Phatic Discourse Into English

This study employs a practical translation technique to examine the social and linguistic dimensions of Saudi phatic speech in translation. This study categorizes phatic statements according to their direct English equivalents and employs both machine and human translation to identify culturally comparable terms. This study examines 100 instances of phatic discourse in Saudi Arabic, categorizing them into seven groups: invitation and reception ceremonies, welcome phrases, body language greetings, coffee and dates, invitations to feasts, expressions of gratitude, and farewell phrases. Six highly regarded Arabic-language films from the MAZENKO platform were analyzed to create a corpus. Thirty third-year English language students at Al-Baha University translated the selected phrases utilizing computer-assisted translation techniques. The data indicate that the most frequently utilized Saudi phatic terms pertain to invitation and reception ceremonies, welcoming expressions, body language greetings, coffee and dates, and feast invitations. The findings indicate that Saudi students effectively translated these idioms into English, while computer-assisted translations often exhibited errors or a lack of cultural relevance. This evidence supports the argument that machine translation should not be the sole resource in Saudi English translation courses. The study highlights the importance of exposing students to diverse cultures, particularly those that closely resemble Saudi traditions, within translation instruction. The study offers valuable insights for professionals in translation, intercultural communication, and linguistics, presenting practical recommendations aimed at enhancing cross-cultural understanding between Saudis and non-Saudis.