Investigating Differences between Arabic and English Languages Relevant to Concept of Time, Tenses and Verb-forms and the Effects on Meaning of a Translated Text

Abstract

This study is primarily aimed to investigate the differencesbetween Arabic and English languages relevant to the concept of time, tenses and verb forms and the effects on the meaning of a translated text. To achieve the study objectives, descriptive-analytical method was used to collect data from authenticated interpretationof the Glorious Quran by Mohammed Marmaduke, An-Aawawis Forty Hadith and some legal texts.Additionally, textual analysis approach was employed to analyze data. Relevant literature was reviewed to illustrate linguistic and non-linguistic dissimilarities in the view of study’s variants. Some findings were showed by the study; followings are among the most significant ones: the technique of Communicative Translation(CT) is used as when Semantic Translation (ST) is not allowed due to differences in the functions of linguistic and non-linguistic componentsof Arabic and English, namely the concept of time where some time meanings are expressed differently by the two languages. The meanings of Arabic verbs in some contexts are highly affected as the linguistic functions of some particles being neglecting while translating. The Arabic verb يجب /yajib/ and "انفؼم المضارع present verb in indicative mood"are used changeably to express the meaning of the model verb "shall" as it refers to obligation according to the source of obligatoriness. The study concluded with some relevant recommendations; among them are that investigating other linguistic or non-linguistic factors which may change the code from Semantic Translation to Communicative One is intensively recommended. More studies on linguistic system in each language specifically grammatical categories, namely tenses and verb-forms from translational perspective are required. Suggestions for further studiesin the concern field are presented as well