Validity of Translation Strategies Adopted in the Translation of Criminal Law Terms in News Articles of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study conducts an in-depth analysis of the discrepancies observed in the translation of criminal law terminology in news articles, with a specific focus on the Saudi Arabian context. The investigation centres on the critical examination of three Arabic terms, namely ‘Fasād’, ‘Rashwa’, and ‘Qabeḍ’, originating from the source text (ST): The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority online platform (Nazaha). This study delves into the English counterparts of these terms as employed in news articles disseminated by five prominent media platforms: Arab News, Saudi Gazette, Al Arabiya English, ASharq Al-Awsat, and Nazaha Media Center. This study primarily aims to scrutinise the translation strategies adopted by Saudi media platforms in rendering criminal law terminology and ascertain the most effective strategy for accurately conveying the intended message of the ST. A comprehensive examination is conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the source terms and their corresponding equivalents in the target texts (TTs). This study emphasises the incongruities and inconsistencies detected in the translation of source terms, contending that functional equivalence emerges as the most suitable translation strategy in criminal law translation.