(Un)translatability of Yemeni (Ibbi) Zawaamil and Ballads into English: Ibb University Students as a Case Study

Abstract

This paper aims to study (un)translatability in the Yemeni (Ibbi) context, utilizing culture-based texts, specifically zawaamil and ballads, and examining whether they can be translated into English. The study involves 19 Ibb University MA English students. It aims at investigating the extent to which the discourse of these texts is translatable into English. The study thus identifies the difficulties encountered by these students while translating such texts, and hence, suggesting possible strategies and solutions to overcome such difficulties. It employs a mixed-method approach utilizing descriptive and empirical methods, using the questionnaire as an instrument. The findings indicate that linguistic and conceptual difficulties are highly encountered in translating zawaamil and ballads followed by cultural and discourse difficulties and the lowest difficulties are those related to psychological problems. The study concludes that while translatability exists, untranslatability does not, and that this study contributes to the ongoing trend in this regard.