TRANSLATING PROVERBS PRESENTERS: MOSAB M. H. ABU TOHA& A.N.: THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST MERCIFUL THE MOST GRACEFUL PRESENTED TO: Dr. SHABAN AL OMARI AND MY COLLEAGUES 18/4/2012

 Proverbs  Translating proverbs is like translating idioms which require cultural knowledge of the TL. Translators may face three types of proverbs..

 Look at these categories of proverbs and decide which one is the easiest to translate. Why?   Need is mother of invention.  Behind every great man is a woman.  Don’t put off your duty till tomorrow.  All that glitters is not gold.  Too many cooks spoil the broth.  As you sow, so will you reap.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

 Proverbs that have similar equivalence:  Forbidden fruit is sweet  Blood is thicker than water  Two minds are better than one  Diamond cut diamond  Poverty is no sin  After cloud sun shine فإن مع العسر یسرا  Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

 Proverbs that have different equivalence  A stitch in time saves nine.  Enough is as good as a feast.  Half a loaf is better than no bread.

 Look at the following proverbs and their translations and then decide which one offers better equivalence. Why?  What is past is dead Let bygones be bygones الي فات مات  Silence is from gold Silence is gold السكوت من ذهب  Sweet talk Nice talk كلام حلو  Do good things and throw them in the sea اعمل خير و ارمه في البحر Don't expect rewards for good deeds

 He who keeps his mouth shut on the right is a dumb Satan الساكت عن الحق شيطان أخرس To refrain from saying the truth is satanic   The best deeds are those done promptly عاجله البر خير  He gives twice who gives quickly).   Stretch your legs according to the length of your quilt رجليك مد لحافك على قد Cut your coat according to your cloth.