The Routledge Course in Arabic Business Translation
1.
2. The Routledge Course in Arabic Business
Translation
The Routledge Course in Arabic Business Translation: Arabic-English-Arabic is an essential
coursebook for university students wishing to develop their skills in translating different
types of business texts between English and Arabic. Practical in its approach, the book
introduces translation students to the concept of translation and equivalence in the context of
business texts, business translators, and the linguistic and syntactic features of business texts.
It also highlights translation tools and technology in addition to the translation strategies
which can be adopted to render business texts between English and Arabic. Key features in
the book include:
• Six comprehensive chapters covering (after the Introduction) the areas of economics,
management, production, finance, and marketing in the translation industry;
• Detailed explanation of the lexical and syntactic features of business texts;
• Practical English and Arabic business translation texts featuring a vast business
vocabulary bank;
• Authentic business texts extracted from English and Arabic books containing economic,
management, production, finance, and marketing texts;
• Great range of English and Arabic translation exercises to enable students to practice
their familiarity with business vocabulary they learned throughout the book; and
• Glossaries following all English and Arabic business texts containing the translation of
main vocabulary items.
The practicality of the approach adopted in this book makes it an essential business
translation coursebook for translation students. In addition, the carefully designed content
helps students to easily explore different types of business texts, familiarize themselves with
key words, and complete translation exercises. University instructors working on English
and Arabic business translations will find this book highly useful.
Mahmoud Altarabin is an assistant professor of translation and linguistics at the Islamic
University, Gaza, where he teaches different translation courses to undergraduates and
postgraduates. He authored The Routledge Course on Media, Legal and Technical Translation,
On Translating Arabic and English Media Texts, and Basics of Translation: A Textbook for
Arab University Students.
3. Routledge Studies in Arabic Translation
Routledge Studies in Arabic Translation explores themes and theories involving the Arabic
language. This series addresses the complexities and emerging perspectives within Arabic
translation including linguistic, literary, semiotic, cognitive, cultural, philosophical, socio-
logical, political, socio-economic, educational, and professional. Providing an essential
knowledge base for researchers and scholars of the Arabic language and translation studies,
this series presents the most innovative research in this emerging area.
The Routledge Course on Media, Legal and Technical Translation
English-Arabic-English
Mahmoud Altarabin
The Routledge Course in Arabic Business Translation
Arabic-English-Arabic
Mahmoud Altarabin
For more information about this series, please visit: https://www.routledge.com/languages/
series/RSAT
4. The Routledge Course in Arabic
Business Translation
Arabic-English-Arabic
Mahmoud Altarabin
8. Contents
List of tables x
Foreword xi
Acknowledgments xii
Introduction 1
1 Business translation: basic concepts 3
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Translation and equivalence 4
1.3 Business translators 6
1.4 Features of business texts 6
1.4.1 Lexical features 7
1.4.2 Syntactic features 8
1.5 Translation tools and technology 9
1.5.1 General translation tools 9
1.5.2 CAT tools 10
1.6 Translation strategies 10
1.6.1 Literal translation 10
1.6.2 Calque 11
1.6.3 Borrowing 12
1.6.4 Varied equivalents 12
2 Translating economic texts 14
2.1 Business cycle 14
Section 1: English into Arabic 14
Section 2: Arabic into English 18
2.2 Employment 22
Section 1: English into Arabic 22
Section 2: Arabic into English 26
2.3 Corporate social responsibility 28
Section 1: English into Arabic 28
Section 2: Arabic into English 32
9. viii Contents
2.4 International trade 34
Section 1: English into Arabic 34
Section 2: Arabic into English 38
3 Translating management texts 41
3.1 Management 41
Section 1: English into Arabic 41
Section 2: Arabic into English 45
3.2 Company and organization structure 49
Section 1: English into Arabic 49
Section 2: Arabic into English 53
4 Translating production texts 57
4.1 Economy sectors 57
Section 1: English into Arabic 57
Section 2: Arabic into English 61
4.2 Production 64
Section 1: English into Arabic 64
Section 2: Arabic into English 68
4.3 Logistics 72
Section 1: English into Arabic 72
Section 2: Arabic into English 76
4.4 Quality 80
Section 1: English into Arabic 80
Section 2: Arabic into English 84
5 Translating finance texts 88
5.1 Accounting and financial statements 88
Section 1: English into Arabic 88
Section 2: Arabic into English 92
5.2 Banking 96
Section 1: English into Arabic 96
Section 2: Arabic into English 100
5.3 Islamic banking and finance 104
Section 1: English into Arabic 104
Section 2: Arabic into English 108
5.4 Corporate financing and bonds 112
Section 1: English into Arabic 112
Section 2: Arabic into English 116
5.5 Futures and derivatives 120
Section 1: English into Arabic 120
Section 2: Arabic into English 124
5.6 Market competition 128
Section 1: English into Arabic 128
Section 2: Arabic into English 132
10. Contents ix
5.7 Microfinance 136
Section 1: English into Arabic 136
Section 2: Arabic into English 140
6 Translating marketing texts 144
6.1 Products and brands 144
Section 1: English into Arabic 144
Section 2: Arabic into English 148
6.2 Marketing 150
Section 1: English into Arabic 150
Section 2: Arabic into English 154
6.3 Advertising 158
Section 1: English into Arabic 158
Section 2: Arabic into English 162
6.4 E-commerce 166
Section 1: English into Arabic 166
Section 2: Arabic into English 170
References 175
Index 182
11. Tables
1.1 Example of business vocabulary 8
1.2 Literal English into Arabic literal translations 11
1.3 Literal Arabic into English translations 11
1.4 Islamic finance terms borrowed into English 12
1.5 Varied English target language equivalents 12
1.6 Varied Arabic target language equivalents 13
12. Foreword
The Routledge Course in Arabic Business Translation is the first book to offer a comprehen-
sive practical course in translating business material from Arabic to English and vice versa.
Its six chapters cover basic issues in general and business translation (Chapter 1), followed
by key areas in business translation – economics (Chapter 2), management (Chapter 3),
production (Chapter 4), finance (Chapter 5) and marketing (Chapter 6). The chapters are
divided into specific topics; e.g. ‘Business cycle,’‘Employment,’‘Corporate Social Respon-
sibility,’ and ‘International Trade’ in chapter 2. For each topic a number of texts in English
and Arabic are provided, and for each text there is a series of guided practical text-based
exercises of different types that focus on that particular text, covering both English>Arabic
and Arabic>English translation. By working through this book, students will acquire a thor-
ough grounding in both the vocabulary and generic features of a range of Arabic and English
business texts and will develop coherent strategies and techniques for translating these texts
into the other language. I am very happy to recommend this book to teachers and students
alike.
James Dickins, University of Leeds
18.02.2021
13. Acknowledgments
It is my solemn duty to thank Allah for giving me the insight, patience, skills, and great dedi-
cation to complete the authoring of this book, my second book with Routledge. I also thank
my parents and wife for their wholehearted support.
I am immensely grateful to Andrea Hartill, a senior commissioning editor and publisher
at Routledge, for her considerable support, great encouragement, and follow-up. I am also
thankful for Ellie Auton, the editorial assistant for language learning at Routledge.
I am profoundly indebted to James Dickins for writing the foreword.
I would also like to express my gratitude to the academic staff at the Department of
English, Islamic University of Gaza, for their continuous support.
14. Introduction
The literature on translation issues between English and Arabic abounds and can be found in
books, chapters in edited books, theses, and journal articles. Although various translation text-
books are recommended for English and Arabic translation courses, the books on translating
business texts are rare, especially books intended for undergraduate students. Despite the fact
that business translation courses are now part of translation programs at the undergraduate and
postgraduate levels in different universities, there seem to be no high-quality textbooks which
can sharpen students’ skills in translating major business text types, which generally include
English and Arabic texts on economics, management, production, finance, and marketing.
Given the aforementioned state of affairs, one can simply ask: “Does this book offer better
innovative content than existing books?” The Routledge Course in Arabic Business Transla-
tion is not designed to be the only coursebook on business translation between English and
Arabic, because this is not practically possible. However, the unique English and Arabic tex-
tual content and the careful selection of the vast range of business topics make it an essential
and engaging coursebook not only for translation students but also for instructors. Texts and
translation exercises are equally divided between English and Arabic in order to sharpen
students’ translation skills in two directions.
Aim of the book
The Routledge Course in Arabic Business Translation: Arabic-English-Arabic is primarily
authored to offer a bidirectional account of English and Arabic business translation texts.
The book provides translation students with a detailed analysis of the defining lexical and
syntactic features of business texts and lists practical translation strategies. It is completely
practical and classifies business texts into main categories: economics, management, pro-
duction, finance, and marketing. This collection of major categories, which include sub-
categories, provides students and instructors alike with a unique collection of English and
Arabic textual material and translation exercises.
There are two main reasons for selecting the collection of the English and Arabic busi-
ness texts which the book contains. First, the vast range of English and Arabic business texts
included in the book are believed to be the most common types of business texts which stu-
dents and translators are expected to render. Second, translation students at different levels
are always driven by the need to enhance their translation skills in English and Arabic.
The book features a carefully designed content to enhance students’ translation skills and
at the same time enrich their vocabulary bank. Each English and Arabic business text is
followed by the translation of the main business terms to provide students with common
accurate translations.
DOI: 10.4324/9781003170846-1
15. 2 Introduction
The varied types of translation exercises aim to sharpen three translation skills: translation,
searching for the meaning of specific business terms and analyzing inaccurately translated
sentences. One exercise requires students to translate sentences containing main business
terms for which a model translation is provided. Another exercise requires searching for
the meaning of English or Arabic business terms. At another level, students are required to
analyze inaccurate translations of specific sentences to test how far they keep themselves
familiar with business terms. In addition, students are also required to translate short pas-
sages quoted from books covering the subtopics included in each part of the classification of
business texts: economics, management, production, finance, and marketing.
Thus, this book is strongly believed to be an essential coursebook mainly for undergradu-
ate translation students across the Arab world universities and other universities or aca-
demic institutions in non-Arab countries teaching business translation courses (English and
Arabic). It is carefully authored to ensure providing students with considerable translation
experience in academic and professional settings.
Book structure
The book contains six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces students to basic concepts such as
translation and equivalence, business translators, lexical and syntactic features of business
texts, translation tools and technology, and translation strategies. Chapter 2 is entitled Eco-
nomics and includes texts on business cycle, employment, corporate social responsibility,
and international trade. Chapter 3 is entitled Management and includes two main subsec-
tions: management and company and organization structure. Chapter 4, Production, includes
texts on economy sectors, production, logistics, and quality. Chapter 5 is entitled Finance
and includes texts on accounting and financial statements, banking, Islamic banking and
finance, corporate financing and bonds, futures and derivatives, market competition, and
microfinance. Chapter 6 is entitled Marketing and includes texts on products and brands,
marketing, advertising, and e-commerce. Translation instructors can select English orArabic
texts and exercises which are relevant to their course descriptions.
16. 1 Business translation: Basic concepts
1.1 Introduction
Translation is a driving force in modern society which enables and promotes effective com-
munication between different nations around the globe. In addition to the role it plays in
protecting cultural heritage, translation is an invaluable tool for transmitting knowledge
and sharing ideas, expertise, and information. It continues to facilitate scientific and tech-
nical advancement in today’s globalized and fast-paced information era. Furthermore, the
advancement in various fields has dramatically changed the way we experience different
aspects of our lives, including education, culture, science, economy, and business. Transla-
tion in its capacity as a means of disseminating knowledge has always paved the way for
advancement in various academic fields. Byrne (2012, p. 1) highlights the significance of
translation as follows:
Virtually every aspect of our lives from education and work to entertainment, shopping
and travel has been swept along by a seemingly unstoppable wave of new inventions
and technological advances. What many people do not realize is that these inventions
and advances are accompanied at almost every step of the way by translation in its
capacity as a vehicle for disseminating scientific and technical knowledge.
Reflecting its indispensability, translation proves to be an absolutely reliable means devised
to promote business between not only individuals but also public and private business insti-
tutions in countries speaking different languages around the world. Furthermore, translation
connects the legal and economic aspects of international business through the translation of
contracts, company laws, meeting minutes, various types of agreements, business plans, busi-
ness and market reports, financial documents as well as regulatory and insurance documents.
Economy in the Arab world is largely connected to the international economy (El-Zaim,
1991; Al-Shaer, 2015; and Al-Bursan, 2011). In addition, the daily volume of business trans-
actions between Arab businesses and those in non-Arab countries can be beyond measure.
Business documents of diverse types are translated between English and Arabic to promote
business or determine the rights and duties of the parties to business transactions. Adding
to its critical significance to individuals and companies, business translation can be used in
academic disciplines at various levels.
The nature of business texts may considerably differ from other types of translation texts.
The type of equivalence sought in business translation is generally determined by linguistic
factors rather than paralinguistic factors which basically relate to non-lexical elements of
texts. This indicates that functional equivalence can be the dominant type of equivalence
DOI: 10.4324/9781003170846-2
17. 4 Business translation
aimed at when rendering business texts. In addition, translating business texts is subject to
temporal, financial, and reliability parameters which govern the translation of such texts and
the criteria against which they are evaluated.
With regard to the temporal (time) parameter, the translation of business texts is carried
out under time constraints or deadlines which can sometimes entail higher costs on the part
of the clients requesting fast translations. Due to the strictness of time, many translators
would be tempted to resort to machine translation, which can be impractical especially when
dealing with particular languages such as English and Arabic. However, it should be noted
that machine translation – which, in the case of English and Arabic, most notably includes
web-based platforms such as Google Translate, Reverso Context, and Almaany1
– can be
used to render individual words or phrases “accurately.” However, one needs to ensure
editing the translations to reflect the meaning of the source language’s terms. Some online
platforms such as Google Translate do not classify word meanings according to specific
domains such as legal, technical, financial, economic, religious, and so on. It is therefore
difficult for undergraduate students and beginner translators to determine the accuracy of
translating words like depression, which has domain-based meanings when translating into
Arabic. Almaany online dictionary classifies the Arabic equivalents of depression according
(weather fore-
ﻣﻨﺨﻔﺾ
ﺟﻮي
(economic), and
ﻛﺴﺎد
،
رﻛﻮد
(psychology),
،اﻧﮭﯿﺎر
اﻛﺘﺌﺎب
to domain:
cast). This draws our attention to the fact that such differences in meaning should be taken
into careful consideration when selecting specific word meanings and excluding others.
Reliability of texts and translators is another decisive parameter in business translation.
In the light of temporal constraints, business translation often involves a compromise over
reliability, speed, and cost (Chiper, 2000). Generally, translated business texts can be judged
reliable when they reflect all source text details and information, on the one hand, and pro-
vide an accurate basis for their users’ actions, on the other.
Translators’ reliability is “judged in relation to the text, to clients, and to technology”
(Chiper, 2000, p. 218). While text reliability is achieved by paying attention to details, use of
academic resources, and editing of texts, translators’ reliability is judged against the ability
to work on different text types, meeting deadlines, and negotiating abilities. With reference
to technology, translators’ reliability is judged against the ability to use computer software
and internet to deliver their translations. Other concepts of immense significance to business
translation include the very basic terms such as translation, equivalence, translation strate-
gies, and translator’s tools.
1.2 Translation and equivalence
Although this book is confined to translating business texts, it is necessary to link business
translation to basic translation concepts which are central to most text types. One of these
concepts is the basic definition of translation itself. The key terms in various translation
definitions include, but are not limited to, “process” and “rendering” (Simpson & Weiner,
1989), “reproducing” (Nida & Taber, 1969), and “replacement” and “equivalent text” (Cat-
ford, 1965).
Translation is primarily a process following which translators decode the syntactic and
semantic components of the source text to search for target text equivalents and then render
the source text. In addition, translation involves a reproduction or replacement of the source
text according to the norms of the target language. Let us consider the following example
from English business texts.
ST: A business cycle is a short-term pattern of economic expansions and contractions.
18. Business translation 5
Syntactic and semantic decoding of the sentence:
(verb be) cannot be
is
,
دورة
اﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
/
دورة
اﻷﻋﻤﺎل
is a noun phrase meaning
A business cycle
translated into Arabic when it is present, and translators therefore should search for a natural
or using a verb
ﺟﻤﻠﺔ
اﺳﻤﯿﺔ
equivalent by turning the whole sentence into verbless sentence
Short-
.
ﺟﻤﻠﺔ
ﻓﻌﻠﯿﺔ
in case the translator decides to render it into a verbal sentence
ﺗﻌﺘﺒﺮ
such as
of economic
and
ﻧﻤﻂ
ﻗﺼﯿﺮ
اﻷﺟﻞ
is an adjective and noun construction meaning
term pattern
.
ﻣﻦ
اﻟﺘﻮﺳﻊ
واﻻﻧﻜﻤﺎش
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدي
is a prepositional phrase meaning
expansions and contractions
Given
.
ﻓﺘﺮات
اﻟﺘﻮﺳﻊ
واﻻﻧﻜﻤﺎش
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدي
Note that translators can use the plural sense and say
this explanation, the ST sentence can be rendered as:
ﺗﻌﺘﺒﺮ
اﻟﺪورة
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
أﺣﺪ
اﻷﻧﻤﺎط
ﻗﺼﯿﺮة
اﻷﺟﻞ
ﻟﻔﺘﺮات
اﻟﺘﻮﺳﻊ
أو
اﻻﻧﻜﻤﺎش
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدي
.
اﻟﺪورة
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
ھﻲ
أﺣﺪ
اﻷﻧﻤﺎط
ﻗﺼﯿﺮة
اﻷﺟﻞ
ﻟﻔﺘﺮات
اﻟﺘﻮﺳﻊ
أو
اﻻﻧﻜﻤﺎش
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدي
.
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
اﻟﺪورة
at the lexical level and
ﺗﻤﺜﻞ
with
ﺗﻌﺘﺒﺮ
Translators may for example replace
are two accurate trans-
اﻷﻋﻤﺎل
دورة
and
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
اﻟﺪورة
at the phrase level.
اﻷﻋﻤﺎل
دورة
with
lations of business cycle and can be used interchangeably without semantic differences.
Having more than one target language equivalent is usually discussed under equivalence, a
central concept in translation which is briefly discussed below.
Equivalence
Translation theorists and scholars have not yet agreed on one definition of equivalence, nor
have they agreed on classifying its types and textual levels, which include word level equiva-
lence, phrase and clause level equivalence, sentence equivalence, and text equivalence. It
is, however, commonly agreed that what complicates achieving equivalence are the factors
which do not directly relate to the linguistic components of the text but which do relate
mainly to society, culture, and religion.
Achieving equivalence has always been problematic or impossible (Catford, 1965; New-
mark, 1981; Biguenet & Schulte, 1989; Ivir, 1996; Hatim & Munday, 2004; Baker, 2018).
The difficulty in achieving equivalence relates to extralinguistic factors which are far beyond
the simple selection of words.
One of the translation theorists who focused on linguistic equivalence was Mona Baker
in her In Other Words (2018).2
She divided equivalence into different language levels which
include word level, phrase level, grammatical level, and textual level. In addition, she dis-
cussed the problems of equivalence at each level and proposed some practical solutions.
Problems of equivalence in business texts, being a subcategory of technical texts, can
arise in different domains and at different levels. Word level equivalence is of immense
significance here because students mainly look for equivalents at word level followed by
،اﻧﮭﯿﺎر
اﻛﺘﺌﺎب
can mean
depression
phrase level. Given the domain and word level factors,
(weather forecast). This reflects that
ﻣﻨﺨﻔﺾ
ﺟﻮي
(economic), and
ﻛﺴﺎد
،
رﻛﻮد
(psychology),
students and translators should be aware of the different uses of a word in order to select
. However, in the business texts,
ﻣﮭﺎم
/
واﺟﺒﺎت
generally means
Duties
the accurate translation.
.
رﺳﻮم
ﺟﻤﺮﻛﯿﺔ
it means
What makes equivalence more complicated is the availability of more than one equivalent
when used in plural
ﺷ
ﺮﻛ
ﺎت
and
أ
ﻋﻤﺎ
ل
ﺗﺠﺎ
ر
ﯾﺔ
means
Business
translation in the same domain.
(businesses). Logistics has different translations into Arabic within the business domain, and
there is no specific criterion to prefer one equivalent to the other/others. The technical Arabic
, which basically relates to managing the flow of
ﻋﻠﻢ
إدارة
ﺗﺪ
ﻓﻖ
ا
ﻟﺒﻀﺎ
ﺋﻊ
translation of the term is
19. 6 Business translation
goods, information, and other resources such as products from production areas to consump-
. One of the
ا
ﻟﻠﻮ
ﺟﺴﺘﯿﺔ
tion areas. The term can also be rendered intoArabic through borrowing as
, which could be used in military fields,
ا
ﻟﺨﺪ
ﻣ
ﺎ
ت
ا
ﻟﻠﻮ
ﺟﺴﺘﯿﺔ
problematic translations of the term is
commercial fields, and production fields. Despite the availability of different translations of
remains a seemingly better translation of the
ا
ﻟﺴﻮ
ﻗﯿﺎ
ت
or
ﻋﻠﻢ
إدارة
ﺗﺪ
ﻓﻖ
ا
ﻟﺒﻀﺎ
ﺋﻊ
into Arabic,
logistics
term in the context of business texts. Bottleneck in business and economic texts does not have one
Arabic translation which can clearly account for the meaning in the business field. One of the avail-
,which provides a very general meaning of the English term referring to
ا
ﺧﺘﻨﺎ
ق
able translations is
congestion in the production system. Al-Mawrid dictionary, a well-known English-Arabic dic-
, which does not practically reflect the meaning mentioned
ﻣﺨﻨﻖ
as
bottleneck
tionary, translates
اﻛﺘﻈﺎظ
ﻧﻈﺎم
or
اﻛﺘﻈﺎظ
ﺳﻠﺴﻠﺔ
اﻹﻧﺘﺎج
Therefore, paraphrasing the term into Arabic as
just now.
can better reflect the meaning of the term. Other similar translations can also be used.
اﻹﻧﺘﺎج
Translating financial terms from English into Arabic can also cause difficulties. Financial
The difference
.
ﻗﻮاﺋﻢ
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
and
ﺑﯿﺎﻧﺎت
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
has different Arabic translations such as
statements
is more commonly used.
ﺑﯿﺎﻧﺎت
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
between the two lies in that
When translating business, economic, or financial terms between English and Arabic, stu-
dents are advised to adopt commonly used target language equivalents. In addition, students
may further explore the context-based meaning and usage of the source language terms to
ensure that the selected target language equivalents reflect the specific meanings of source
language terms. Furthermore, preference can be given to commonly used terms instead of
accurate terms which may not be known to a larger readership. Student translators should
also familiarize themselves with the contextual usage of certain business terms whose mean-
ings significantly differ from one context to another.
1.3 Business translators
Translators perform an essential and complex role in the translation industry in general and
in business translation specifically. In addition to the different types of technical texts that
include, but are not limited to, business, financial, economic, and medical texts, there are dif-
ferent types of translators who work in different places. Many government and private institu-
tions and companies employ their own translators mainly to reduce costs, to ensure continuous
availability of translators, and to develop translators’ skills to better meet the specific needs of
the employing institutions. Generally, translators working for certain institutions work on and
translate specific types of texts. Another category of translators includes freelance translators
who are self-employed and search for translation work. They work on various text types, and
they frequently edit or revise the work of other translators.
Translators working on business texts can be staff, in-house, or freelance translators.
These translators sharpen their own skills to learn the extensive terminology which char-
acterizes business texts. Business translators may also need to have a university degree,
have considerable computer skills, and work with others on specific translation projects. In
addition, translators working on technical texts, which include business texts, must have a
good command of both the source language and the target language in addition to mastering
research skills needed to carry out the translation of complex business texts.
1.4 Features of business texts
Business texts are a subcategory of technical texts and therefore share common features with
these texts. Tylor (1998) explains that the term technical includes scientific disciplines such
as medicine, physics, and so on, applied technology, and less obviously “scientific” subjects
20. Business translation 7
such as economics. Business texts can be divided into two basic categories: culturally com-
mon business texts (business and market reports, financial statements, business letters, pro-
duction, management, etc.) and culturally uncommon business texts (Islamic banking and
finance). Business texts have a number of key features which set them apart from other texts
having no technical nature. The features are mainly confined to lexical units and syntactic
structures. The following are some of the key defining features of business texts.
1.4.1 Lexical features
Language features
Sharing common features with technical language, business language is different from ordi-
nary language used in general textbooks. Pinchuk (1977) lists the features of technical lan-
guage which, for the purposes of this book, apply to business language. Pinchuk says that
technical language is specialized, that it is economic in terms of linguistic means, and that it
defines terms accurately. The components which affect the readability of business texts are
writer, text, and readers (Kirkman & Turk, 2005).
Informative language
The language used in business texts is an informative language featuring impersonal style
(Dickins, Hervey & Higgins, 2017), Tylor (1998) and Dukāte (2009). This type of informa-
tive language which features the use of declarative sentences can be seen in various types of
business documents.
Use of metaphors
One feature of literary texts which can be noticed in business language is the use of meta-
phors (figure of speech) to explain a certain idea. Examples of business metaphors include
low hanging fruit (easy and quick wins), lots of moving parts (a project or a program with
numerous components), and boil the ocean (a lot of work with a small return).
Terminology
Business texts feature domain-specific terms which set them apart from other technical texts.
In addition, business terms belong to a number of business domains such as management,
finance, and marketing.
In addition to the domain-specific terms, business texts can include words which have
different meanings when used in a general sense. Depression in everyday language refers
to feelings. When used in a business domain, the word refers to a severe recession in an
economy or market.
Facts
The presentation of facts is one of the main features of business texts. Consider the follow-
ing example:
The price of U.S. crude fell as much as 34% to $27.34 a barrel (Disha Experts, 2020).
.ً ھﺒﻂ
ﺳﻌﺮ
اﻟﻨﻔﻂ
اﻷﻣﺮﯾﻜﻲ
ﺑﻨﺴﺒﺔ
34%
ﺣﯿﺚ
أﺻﺒﺢ
ﺳﻌﺮ
اﻟﺒﺮﻣﯿﻞ
27.34
دوﻻرا
ً
أﻣﺮﯾﻜﯿﺎ
21. 8 Business translation
Table 1.1 Example of business vocabulary
ST term TT
project life cycle
Gantt Chart
contingency plan
cash flow
income statement
fixed assets
balance sheet
cost-based pricing
E-commerce
inbound marketing
دورة
ﺣﯿﺎة
اﻟﻤﺸﺮوع
ﻣﺨﻄﻂ
ﺟﺎﻧﺖ
)
ﯾﻮﺿﺢ
اﻟﺠﺪول
اﻟﺰﻣﻨﻲ
ﻟﻠﻤﺸﺮوع
(
ﺧﻄﺔ
اﻟﻄﻮارئ
اﻟﺘﺪﻓﻖ
اﻟﻨﻘﺪي
ﺑﯿﺎن
اﻟﺪﺧﻞ
/
اﻹﯾﺮادات
أﺻﻮل
ﺛﺎﺑﺘﺔ
ﺑﯿﺎن
/
ﻛﺸﻒ
اﻟﻤﯿﺰاﻧﯿﺔ
اﻟﺘﺴﻌﯿﺮ
اﻟﻘﺎﺋﻢ
ﻋﻠﻰ
اﻟﺘﻜﻠﻔﺔ
ﺗﺠﺎرة
إﻟﻜﺘﺮوﻧﯿﺔ
اﻟﺘﺴﻮﯾﻖ
اﻟﺪاﺧﻠﻲ
)
اﻟﻮارد
(
However, business texts may include predictions about future events. Consider the following
example:
Any management action that would increase the level of expected return would have a
positive effect (Jain & Khan, 2007, 4.11).
ﺛﻤﺔ
أﺛﺮ
إﯾﺠﺎﺑﻲ
ﻷي
إﺟﺮاء
إداري
ﻗﺪ
ﯾﺴﺎھﻢ
ﻓﻲ
رﻓﻊ
ﻣﺴﺘﻮى
اﻟﻌﺎﺋﺪ
اﻟﻤﺘﻮﻗﻊ
.
1.4.2 Syntactic features
Business writing is practically listed under technical writing and both, therefore, share some
significant syntactic structures. Use of simple declarative sentences, nominalization, and
passive structures are major syntactic features in business discourse.
Abstract nouns and gerunds
Dickins et al. (2017, p. 241) say that technical texts feature the use of abstract subjects.
Notice the use of abstract nouns and gerunds in the following texts and the absence of nouns
referring to concrete entities.
Management comprises the interlocking functions of formulating corporate policy and
organizing, planning, controlling, and directing the . . . resources to achieve the policy’s
objectives (Saxena, 2009).
Another example:
A fancy management philosophy called Business Process Re-engineering looks precisely
at this. Its goal is the simplification of all business processes, by getting rid of any unneces-
sary steps (Voortman, 2004).
Passive structures
Business writing features the use of passive structures. Consider the following examples:
• The reports must be presented to the management to be reviewed and updated annually.
• A final report will be sent to the National Food Administration (NCM, 2004).
22. Business translation 9
Simple sentences
Simplicity is a significant feature of technical texts (Byrne, 2012). Its significance lies in reduc-
ing the work readers need to do to understand the text, and therefore the risk of misunder-
standing is reduced. Technical texts which include business texts use simple and declarative
sentences to ensure simplicity. The following is an example of simple declarative sentences:
• Marketing is exciting, important, and profitable (Burrow, 2008).
• There was strong central planning and a good deal of informal support and direction of
industrial development (Stretton, 1999).
Nominalization
Nominalization refers to “the use of a noun in the same language or in a TT” (Hervey &
Higgins, 2002, p. 180). Dickins et al. (2017) point out that nominalization is a common
feature of technical texts. In addition, Pinchuk (1977, p. 165) explains that “nominalization
style is easier to write.” Tylor (1998) says that nominalization distinguishes the grammar of
technical texts from the grammar of the spoken language. Consider the following example:
• The decisions about the extent and method of government intervention are therefore continu-
ally being made and reviewed by governments, and their electorate (Gillespie, 2016, p. 13).
1.5 Translation tools and technology
Carrying out any translation work today primarily depends on using different tools and software
which highlights the strong link between translation and technology and the significant role
technology plays in translating technical, scientific and business texts. Knowledge, translation,
and technology are interrelated in that translation promotes the dissemination of technical and
scientific knowledge while technological applications have significant impact on translation.
Scholars anticipate that technology will have more dominance in the translation industry
in the future. We have seen instant translation software for different uses, as in the case with
the Google Translate application which is used to translate road signs through using the
mobile camera. In the business world, the use of technology changed the way business is
conducted and also helped the globalization of business activities.
Technology has increased the demand for translators, which requires translators’ familiar-
ity with different technological applications as a necessary requirement to meet the new and
changing demand on translation. Almost all translations are now carried out using computer
applications which save time and facilitate easier and faster communication between transla-
tors and clients. In addition, translators need to get used to the advancements in the field of
technology and translation because their job has gone far beyond using Microsoft Word or
email. They are now required to deal with different tools, technologies, and files. We con-
sider now some of the common general and text-processing tools which translators can use.
1.5.1 General translation tools
General translation tools are the tools which translators and others not involved in the transla-
tion industry can use. These tools can be traditional such as paper-based dictionaries or tech-
nological such as computers and electronic dictionaries. A management student may use a
traditional or electronic bilingual dictionary to translate business terms between English and
23. 10 Business translation
Arabic. The same applies to students in scientific and nonscientific disciplines. It is impor-
tant to note that preference is given to electronic tools which can be cheaper and less time-
consuming. Google offers a free translation service which many people, including translators,
use to search for the meanings of specific words.Another important and freely available online
tool available for business translators working on English and Arabic texts is Almaany online
dictionary. The most significant feature of this online dictionary lies in providing domain-
based meanings. It also offers translated examples for the contextual use of words. Translators
and student translators need to verify the accuracy of the translations carried out through such
tools, especially Google Translate. Electronic translation tools can sometimes provide all pos-
sible translations of a given term without highlighting the contextual use of each translation.
1.5.2 CAT tools
Technically, translators may be requested to deal with basic software such as Microsoft
Office programs and Adobe products. At a more advanced level, certain translation compa-
nies and agencies may require translators’knowledge and use of Computer Assisted Transla-
tion (CAT) tools which may seem highly expensive and time-consuming at the initial stages.
CAT tools basically include translation memories, machine translation, terminology man-
agement, and some other significant features.
The most popular paid CAT tools are SDL Trados, memoQ, and Wordfast. Some transla-
tion agencies require having at least one of these as a precondition for assigning translation
projects. SDL Trados is probably the most well-known CAT tool available in the market. In
addition, its features include powerful translation memory, advanced terminology manage-
ment technology, editing, project management, and machine translation. SDL Trados is very
useful when translating texts which contain repeated information in specific types of texts
which normally do not include literary texts.
MemoQ offers similar features to those of SDL Trados, while Wordfast runs within
Microsoft Word, handles different text formats, and has a translation memory and terminol-
ogy management. It is essential that translators and student translators train themselves on
using these translation technologies because the future of translation is gearing toward the
integration of CAT tools in translation.
1.6 Translation strategies
The selection of a translation strategy depends on the availability of target language equiva-
lent business terms which are usually technical and objective in nature. In addition, the pur-
pose of translation sometimes determines the method of rendering source language texts into
a target language. Is the translation going to be used for general information purposes? Is it
going to be published? Is it going to be used by business institutions to understand the nature
of business in a specific area? Generally speaking, direct translation/literal translation is the
most common translation strategy adopted in rendering technical texts in general and busi-
ness texts specifically. It can be followed by borrowing, explanation, and varied equivalents.
1.6.1 Literal translation
What is meant by literal translation here is the availability of direct target language equiva-
lents, whether on the word level or the phrase level. This type of translation does not pose any
challenge to translators or student translators because they can simply look up the meaning
24. Business translation 11
of English or Arabic words in traditional paper-based dictionaries or electronic dictionaries.
However, they are advised to ensure that the selected meaning suits the context. For example,
(Baalbaki & Baalbaki,
ﺣ
،ﺰن
ﺿﻌﻒ
،
ﻣﻨﺨﻔﺾ
ﺟ
،ﻮي
اﻷزﻣ
ﺔ
اﻻﻗ
ﺘ
ﺼ
ﺎدﯾ
ﺔ
is translated as
depression
is used in the
أزﻣﺔ
اﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
2008, p. 332). Out of these literal translations of the word, only
business context. Translators also need to take into consideration that literal or direct transla-
tion does not always mean one-to-one correspondence but can also mean one-to-two, as in
the previous example. Consider the following examples of business terms which are literally
translated between English and Arabic.
Table 1.2 Literal English into Arabic literal translations
ST TT
investment
market economies
inflation
goods
marketing management
اﺳﺘﺜﻤﺎر
اﻗﺘﺼﺎد
اﻟﺴﻮق
/
اﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺎت
ﺳﻮﻗﯿﺔ
ﺗﻀﺨﻢ
ﺳﻠﻊ
/
ﺑﻀﺎﺋﻊ
إدارة
اﻟﺘﺴﻮﯾﻖ
Table 1.3 Literal Arabic into English translations
TT ST
unemployment
fiscal policy
monetary policy
financial policy
ﺑﻄﺎﻟﺔ
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﻧﻘﺪﯾﺔ
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﺿﺮﯾﺒﯿﺔ
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
إﻧﻔﺎق
ﺣﻜﻮﻣﻲ
/
ﻧﻔﻘﺎت
ﺣﻜﻮﻣﯿﺔ
ﺗﺨﻄﯿﻂ
اﺳﺘﺮاﺗﯿﺠﻲ
ﺗﺪﻓﻖ
اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت
government spending
strategic planning
information flow
can have different English equivalent
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
Note that some Arabic phrases such as
terms, but each is used in a specific context. Student translators therefore need to explore
the contextual use of each equivalent to ensure that it suits the specific context in which the
source language term was used.
1.6.2 Calque
Calque is primarily a type of borrowing which refers to the literal translation of source text
individual words to create a new term in the target language. It is important to note that some
target language near synonyms are sometimes used. Consider the following examples:
Long position: The term long position refers to an investor’s purchase of a security or
derivative with the expectation that its price will rise in the future. In many Arabic busi-
.
ﻣﺮﻛﺰ
طﻮﯾﻞ
ness texts, it is literally translated as
Short position: A short position refers to the selling of a security or derivative because
its future price is expected to decrease. It is usually translated in Arabic business texts
.
ﻣﺮﻛﺰ
ﻗﺼﯿﺮ
as
1
2
25. 12 Business translation
, while short posi-
ءاﺮﺷ
Long position is sometimes translated into a more general meaning as
ect the general meaning of buying and
fl
Although such translations re
.
ﻊﯿﺑ
tion is rendered as
selling, they do not make specific reference to an investor’s buying or selling of securities or
derivatives. Therefore, student translators are advised to note such differences in meaning.
1.6.3 Borrowing
Borrowing is commonly used when translating business terms between English and Ara-
The word refers to a group
.
اﻟﻜﺎرﺗﻞ
can be borrowed into Arabic as
cartel
bic. For example,
of companies cooperating together to improve their profits, stop competition among them-
,
ا
ﺗﺤﺎ
د
ا
ﻟﺸﺮ
ﻛ
ﺎ
ت
selves, and dominate the market in which they operate. It can also be rendered as
but such rendering may not reflect all aspects of the source language term. Gantt Chart is
in
اﻟﺠﺪول
اﻟﺰﻣﻨﻲ
ﻟﻠﻤﺸﺮوع
and is sometimes followed by
ﻣﺨﻄﻂ
ﺟﺎﻧﺖ
translated into Arabic as
parentheses to highlight its specific meaning.
English borrows a number of Arabic financial terms which are either used on their own or
followed by an explanation. Consider the examples in the following table.
Table 1.4 Islamic finance terms borrowed into English
Functional equivalent TT borrowing ST
joint partnership arrangement Musharakah
profit-loss-sharing partnership Mudarabah
cost-plus financing Murabahah
give something on rent Ijar
sharia-compliant bonds Sukuk
interest-free loan Qard Hassan
order to manufacture by specification Istisna’
1.6.4 Varied equivalents
ﻣﺸﺎرﻛﺔ
ﻣﻀﺎرﺑﺔ
ﻣﺮاﺑﺤﺔ
إﯾﺠﺎر
ﺻﻜﻮك
ﻗﺮض
ﺣﺴﻦ
اﺳﺘﺼﻨﺎع
Some business and financial terms can have more than one target language equivalent and
student translators therefore need to consider the context in which each of these equivalents
is used. Consider the following examples:
Table 1.5 Varied English target language equivalents
TT ST
monetary policy
fiscal policy
financial policy
government spending
government expenditure
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﻧﻘﺪﯾﺔ
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﺿﺮﯾﺒﯿﺔ
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
إﻧﻔﺎق
ﺣﻜﻮﻣﻲ
ﻣﺼﺮوﻓﺎت
ﺣﻜﻮﻣﯿﺔ
The need to explore the contextual usage of a target language equivalent arises when a
number of target language equivalents exist for one source language term, as in the case of
the Arabic terms above. While monetary policy refers to the actions of the monetary author-
ity or the central bank to control money supply and interest rates in addition to achieving
other policy objectives, fiscal policy refers to the government actions to control and adjust
spending levels and tax rates. Financial policy can refer to the policies which aim to achieve
26. Business translation 13
Table 1.6 Varied Arabic target language equivalents
ST TT
logistics
business cycle
goods
financial statements
اﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت
اﻟﻠﻮﺟﺴﺘﯿﺔ
ﻋﻠﻢ
إدارة
ﺗﺪﻓﻖ
اﻟﺒﻀﺎﺋﻊ
اﻟﺴﻮﻗﯿﺎت
دورة
اﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
دورة
اﻷﻋﻤﺎل
ﺳﻠﻊ
ﺑﻀﺎﺋﻊ
ﺑﯿﺎﻧﺎت
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
ﻗﻮاﺋﻢ
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
financial stability and market efficiency and determine the roles and responsibilities within
a financial system of business firms.
One English word or phrase can have different equivalents in Arabic. Students therefore
need to explore the contextual use of such variants and select the appropriate equivalents.
is used in
ﺳﻠﻊ
in English. However,
goods
refer to
ﺑﻀﺎﺋﻊ
and
ﺳﻠﻊ
For example, the words
is mainly
ﺑﻀﺎﺋﻊ
the context where meeting human needs and consumption are mentioned.
mentioned in the context of shipment and tax on imports. Therefore, student translators
should adopt the appropriate translation strategy taking into account the differences in target
language equivalents.
Notes
1 These are the main translation websites used by Arab translators and student translators.
2 Her book had its first edition in (1992) and its second in (2011).
27. 2 Translating economic texts
2.1 Business cycle
Section 1: English into Arabic
Text 1: The business cycle
The business cycle or trade cycle is a permanent feature of market economies: gross domes-
tic product (GDP) fluctuates as booms and recessions succeed each other. During a boom,
an economy (or at least parts of it) expands to the point where it is working at full capacity,
so that production, employment, prices, profits, investment, and interest rates all tend to rise.
During a recession, the demand for goods and services declines and the economy begins to
work at below its potential. Investment, output, employment, profits, commodity and share
prices, and interest rates generally fall. A serious, long-standing recession is called a depres-
sion or a slump (Zompanti, 2009, p. 18)
Vocabulary
ST TT ST TT
دورة
اﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
/
أﻋﻤﺎل
اﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺎت
ﺳﻮق
دورة
ﺗﺠﺎرﯾﺔ
business cycle trade cycle
إﺟﻤﺎﻟﻲ
اﻟﻨﺎﺗﺞ
اﻟﻤﺤﻠﻲ
/
اﻟﻘﻮﻣﻲ
ﻓﺘﺮات
اﻻزدھﺎر
market economies GDP
ﯾﺘﻘﻠﺐ
/
ﯾﺘﺄرﺟﺢ
ﻓﺘﺮات
اﻟﺮﻛﻮد
/
اﻟﻜﺴﺎد
fluctuates booms
ﺑﻜﺎﻣﻞ
طﺎﻗﺘﮫ
recessions full capacity
اﺳﺘﺜﻤﺎر أﺳﻌﺎر
اﻟﻔﺎﺋﺪة
investment interest rates
ﺗﻤﯿﻞ
إﻟﻰ طﻠﺐ
ﻋﻠﻰ
tend to demand for
ﺑﻀﺎﻋﺔ
/
ﺳﻠﻊ
دون
ﻣﺴﺘﻮى
إﻣﻜﺎﻧﺎﺗﮫ
ﺗﻨﺨﻔﺾ
goods declines
ﻣﺨﺮﺟﺎت
below its potential output
ﻛﺴﺎد ھﺒﻮط
depression slump
Exercise 1: Using the vocabulary list above, translate the passage above up to “all tend to rise.”
Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
• A business cycle is a short-term pattern of economic expansions and contractions.
• Amarket economy relies on capitalism to create an environment in which producers and
consumers are free to sell and buy what they choose.
• In economics, a recession refers to the contraction of a business cycle which reflects a
significant decline in economic activity.
• The global demand for goods can increase or decrease.
Exercise 3: Identify and correct the errors in theArabic translations. The first one is done for you.
• A depression is a severe downturn in economic activity.
اﻹزدھﺎر
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدي
ھﻮ
اﻟﺘﺮاﺟﻊ
اﻟﺒﺴﯿﻂ
ﻓﻲ
اﻟﻨﺸﺎط
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدي
.
اﻟﻜﺴﺎد
ھﻮ
ﺗﺮاﺟﻊ
ﺷﺪﯾﺪ
ﻓﻲ
اﻟﻨﺸﺎط
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدي
or
ﯾ
ﻌﺮف
اﻟﻜﺴﺎد
ﺑﺄﻧﮫ
ﺗﺮاﺟﻊ
ﺷﺪﯾﺪ
ﻓﻲ
اﻟﻨﺸﺎط
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدي
. ُ
•
•
DOI: 10.4324/9781003170846-3
28. Translating economic texts 15
• Petrol prices have fluctuated dramatically in recent years.
ﻣﻠﺤﻮظﺎ
َ
ﺧﻼل
اﻟﻌﻘﻮد
اﻷﺧﯿﺮة
. ً ﺷﮭﺪت
أﺳﻌﺎر
اﻟﻐﺎز
ﺛﺒﺎﺗﺎ •
• A company cannot survive if there is no demand on its goods or services.
ﺗﺴﺘﻄﯿﻊ
اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ
ﻣﻮاﺻﻠﺔ
أﻋﻤﺎﻟﮭﺎ
ﻓﻲ
ﺣﺎل
وﺟﻮد
طﻠﺐ
ﻗﻠﯿﻞ
ﻋﻠﻰ
ﺳﻠﻌﮭﺎ
وﺧﺪﻣﺎﺗﮭﺎ
. •
• People in different sectors may lose their jobs during a downturn in the business
cycle.
ﯾﻔﻘﺪ
اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﻮن
وظﺎﺋﻔﮭﻢ
ﺧﻼل
ﻓﺘﺮة
ﻋﺪم
ﺛﺒﺎت
اﻟﺪورة
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
. •
Exercise 4: Match the English words/phrases with their Arabic translations.
ST TT
1
2
3
4
surplus
monetary policy
fiscal policy
intervention
a.
b.
c.
d.
5
6
7
8
9
10
decrease spending
trough
upturn
consumption
equilibrium
commodity
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Exercise 5: Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﻧﻘﺪﯾﺔ
ﺗﺪﺧﻞ
ﻓﺎﺋﺾ
ﯾﻘﻠﻞ
اﻟﻤﺼﺮوﻓﺎت
ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺔ
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ
اﻧﺘﻌﺎش
ﺗﻮازن
ﺳﻠﻌﺔ
اﻟﻘﺎع
اﺳﺘﮭﻼك
• Governments use fiscal policy to adjust spending levels and tax rates.
• Consumer surplus refers to the economic measurement of the benefits a consumer
receives.
• Consumption in economics is the use of goods or services.
• Economic equilibrium is the balance between economic forces such as supply and
demand.
• Budget balance declines when a government increases its spending or decreases
taxes.
Exercise 6: Read the following passage and then (1) translate the italicized text, and (2) find
what matches the Arabic translations following the passage.
Practically every phase of economic life has felt the force of these great general move-
ments. In addition to these longtime movements and general trends there has been a con-
stant ebb and flow of economic life. Industry has been subjected to cycles of prosperity and
depression – great wave movements with three to eleven years from crest to crest and which
vary widely in intensity and depth. The concept of “normality” in regard to economic life is
a situation of flux and reflux. Industry is continually merging from one phase of the business
cycle to another (Thomas, 2015).
ﺗﺨﺘﻠﻒ
ﺑﺪرﺟﺔ
ﻛﺒﯿﺮة
ﻣﻦ
ﺣﯿﺚ
اﻟﺤﺪة
. •
ﺷﻌﺮت
ﺑﻘﻮة
اﻟﺤﺮﻛﺎت
اﻟﻌﺎﻣﺔ
. •
ﻓﯿﻤﺎ
ﯾﺨﺺ
اﻟﺤﯿﺎة
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
. •
29. 16 Translating economic texts
Text 2
A number of economists have criticized ABCT’s use of interest rates in explaining the cycle.
They include the claim that ABCT exaggerates the importance of interest rates in influ-
encing the volume of investment and the claim that ABCT says businesses use changes in
interest rates to predict how the demand for goods will change (specifically, to predict shifts
in demand from consumers’ goods to capital goods during the cycle) but that interest rates
are not good predictors of demand. The claims also include that inflation affects short-term
interest rates more than long-term interest rates, so investment should not be affected much
by changes in interest rates due to inflation because investment depends more on changes in
long-term rates (Simpson, 2014, p. 89).
Vocabulary
ST TT ST TT
ﻋﻠﻤﺎء
اﻗﺘﺼﺎد ﻧﻈﺮﯾﺔ
دورة
اﻷﻋﻤﺎل
اﻟﻨﻤﺴﺎوﯾﺔ
ز
َ
ﻋ
ْ
ﻢ
/
إد
ّ
ﻋ
َ
ﺎء
اﻟﺘﺄﺛﯿﺮ
ﻋﻠﻰ
economists ABCT
ﻣﻌﺪﻻت
/
أﺳﻌﺎر
اﻟﻔﺎﺋﺪة
ﯾﺒﺎﻟﻎ
ﻓﻲ
interest rates claim
influencing
exaggerates
ﺣﺠﻢ
اﻻﺳﺘﺜﻤﺎر ﺷﺮﻛﺎت
volume of investment businesses
ﯾﺘ
َ
ﻨ
َ
ﺒ
ﱠﺄ
ﺑ
ِ
ـ اﻟﻄﻠﺐ
ﻋﻠﻰ
اﻟﺴﻠﻊ
predict demand for goods
ﺗﺤﻮﻻت
ﻓﻲ
اﻟﻄﻠﺐ ﺳﻠﻊ
اﺳﺘﮭﻼﻛﯿﺔ
shifts in demand consumers’ goods
ﺳﻠﻊ
إﻧﺘﺎﺟﯿﺔ
/
رأﺳﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ
ﺗﻀﺨﻢ
ﻣﺆﺷﺮات
capital goods predictors
ﻗﺼﯿﺮ
اﻷﺟﻞ
inflation short-term
طﻮﯾﻞ
اﻷﺟﻞ ﯾﻌﺘﻤﺪ
long-term depends
Exercise 1: Translate the first sentence of the above passage.
Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
• Interest rate means the amount of a loan charged as interest to the borrower. This amount
must be paid to the lender.
• It is predicted that lower cost investments in this field will perform better than invest-
ments of higher costs.
• This list includes the major exporters of capital goods.
• There was a sudden shift in demand for consumers’ goods.
• Inflation refers to the increase in the cost of living caused by the rise of goods and ser-
vices prices.
• Short-term investments or temporary investments can be sold or converted to cash.
• The current situation necessitates protecting the new project against the ups and downs
of any business cycle.
• There are gloomy predictions for a quick economic recovery after the COVID-19
pandemic.
• The new research focuses on the impact of the business cycle on the economy.
30. Translating economic texts 17
Exercise 3: Identify and correct the errors in the Arabic translations:
• Commodity prices in the secondary market depend on interest rates.
•
ﺗﻌﺘﻤﺪ
أﺳﻌﺎر
اﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت
ﻓﻲ
اﻟﺴﻮق
اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻮي
ﻋﻠﻰ
اﻟﻌﺮض
واﻟﻄﻠﺐ
ﻋﻠﻰ
ﺗﻠﻚ
اﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت
.
• Exporting capital goods significantly promotes the national economy.
•
ﯾﻌﺰز
اﺳﺘﯿﺮاد
اﻟﺴﻠﻊ
اﻻﺳﺘﮭﻼﻛﯿﺔ
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎد
اﻟﻮطﻨﻲ
.
• There is steady demand for goods and services.
•
ﺛﻤﺔ
طﻠﺐ
ﻣﺘﺬﺑﺬب
ﻋﻠﻰ
اﻟﺴﻠﻊ
اﻟﻤﻌﺮوﺿﺔ
.
Exercise 4: Match the English words with their Arabic translations.
ST TT
1 consultant a.
2 contract b.
3
4
peak
excess
c.
d.
5 stimulate e.
6 save f.
7
8
transact
fluctuate
g.
h.
9
10
purchase
boom
i.
j.
ذروة
ﯾﺸﺠﻊ
ﻓﺎﺋﺾ
ﻋﻘﺪ
ﻣﺴﺘﺸﺎر
ﯾﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ
ﺷﺮاء
ازدھﺎر
ﯾﺪﺧﺮ
ﯾﺘﺬﺑﺬب
/
ﯾﺘﺄرﺟﺢ
Exercise 5: Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
• The newly appointed consultant can provide expert advice on business in emerging
markets.
• The company designed a strategy to manage possible price fluctuations.
• Contract theory studies how economic actors such as individuals and organizations sign
legally binding agreements.
• An economic boom refers to the significant growth of a company’s sales or a country’s
GDP.
• The peak of a business cycle refers to the highest point of an economic expansion and
the beginning of a contraction phase.
• All companies must follow new purchase procedures.
Exercise 6: Read the following passage and then translate the italicized words.
Observing business cycles at the sectoral level has the great advantage that it sheds light
on economic transmission mechanisms, whereas for stabilization policy purposes its ben-
efits are not so clear. This is based on the notion that the business cycle is mainly driven by
fluctuations in demand that can be smoothed by interventions targeting certain demand com-
ponents. Opposite to this, supply side measures are understood to aim at the trend component
only (Scheiblecker, 2008, p. 3).
35. 22 Translating economic texts
2.2 Employment
Section 1: English into Arabic
Text 1
JOB MARKET
A number of measures were attempted in order to combat the crisis in the job market.
Thus, employment measures and unemployment insurance were improved, as well as
measures for those who had lost their jobs. In July 2009, parliament adopted the “law for
employment initiative.” The aim of the law is to mitigate the impact of the financial crisis
on the unemployed, to create means by which job positions can be maintained, and to give
a larger number of people the opportunity to participate in employment activities. The law
should help companies cope better with the difficulties arising from the financial crisis
and help to avoid disproportionate job losses. In addition, companies offering social work
receive a 50% subsidy from the employment office for the salaries payable (Jungmann &
Sagemann, 2011).
Vocabulary
ST TT ST TT
ﺳﻮق
اﻟﻌﻤﻞ ﺗﺪاﺑﯿﺮ
/
ﻗﯿﺎﺳﺎت
ﻣﻮاﺟﮭﺔ
أزﻣﺔ
job market measures
اﺗﺨﺬت
were attempted combat crisis
ﺗﻮظﯿﻒ ﺑﻄﺎﻟﺔ
employment unemployment
ﺗﺄﻣﯿﻦ ﻓﻘﺪ
وظﯿﻔﺔ
insurance lost job
ﺑﺮﻟﻤﺎن ﻣﺒﺎدرة
اﻟﺘﻮظﯿﻒ
parliament employment initiative
ﺗﺨﻔﯿﻒ
ﻣﻦ أﺛﺮ
mitigate impact
أزﻣﺔ
ﻣﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻣﻨﺎﺻﺐ
وظﯿﻔﯿﺔ
financial crisis job positions
اﻟﺘﺄﻗﻠﻢ
/
اﻟﺘﻌﺎﻣﻞ
ﺑﺸﻜﻞ
أﻓﻀﻞ
إﻋﺎﻧﺔ
/
دﻋﻢ
ﻣﺎﻟﻲ
اﻟﻨﺎﺟﻤﺔ
ﻋﻦ
cope better arising from
ﻣﺴﺘﺤﻖ
اﻟﺪﻓﻊ
subsidy payable
Exercise 1: Translate the first two sentences from the above passage.
Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
• These strategies are specifically designed to help you exercise your skills in the job
market.
• The proposed measures effectively combat the financial crisis.
• The new data on private-sector employment reflect the coverage of unemployment
insurance.
• The parliament approved the measures to mitigate the socio-economic impact of job
losses resulting from the financial crisis.
• A new plan was put forward to highlight the importance of a practical monetary policy
to cope with possible future financial crises.
• The new measures aim to mitigate the impact of the financial crisis.
36. Translating economic texts 23
Exercise 3: Identify and correct the errors in the Arabic translations:
• The unemployed protested against the insufficient subsidies.
اﺣﺘﺞ
اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﻮن
ﻓﻲ
اﻟﻘﻄﺎع
اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﻲ
ﻋﻠﻰ
ﻋﺪم
ﻛﻔﺎﯾﺔ
اﻟﻤﺮﺗﺒﺎت
اﻟﺸﮭﺮﯾﺔ
. •
• The committee discussed the delay in paying the employees’ salaries.
ﻗﺮرت
اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ
ﻣﻨﺎﻗﺸﺔ
ﻋﺪم
دﻓﻊ
رواﺗﺐ
اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ
. •
• Financial performance measures help evaluate the progress achieved in the company’s
performance.
ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪ
اﻹﺟﺮاءات
اﻟﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ
ﻓﻲ
ﺗﻘﯿﯿﻢ
ﻋﻮاﺋﻖ
ﺗﺤﻘﯿﻖ
اﻟﺘﻘﺪم
ﻓﻲ
أداء
اﻟﺸﺮﻛﺔ
. •
Exercise 4: Match the English words with their Arabic translations.
ST TT
1 unprofitable a.
2 rationalization b.
3
4
employability
recruitment
c.
d.
5
6
downsizing
deregulation
e.
f.
7
8
welfare
sack
g.
h.
9 tenure i.
10 restructuring j.
Exercise 5: Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
ﺗﺮﺷﯿﺪ
ﺗﻌﯿﯿﻦ
/
ﺗﺸﻐﯿﻞ
/
ﺗﻮظﯿﻒ
إزاﻟﺔ
اﻟﻘﯿﻮد
/
ﺗﺤﺮﯾﺮ
ﻏﯿﺮ
ﻣﺮﺑﺤﺔ
اﻟﺼﻼﺣﯿﺔ
ﻟﻠﻌﻤﻞ
ﺗﻘﻠﯿﺺ
ﻋﺪد
اﻟﻤﻮظﻔﯿﻦ
/
ﺗﺨﻔﯿﺾ
اﻟﻌﻤﺎﻟﺔ
إﻋﺎدة
ھﯿﻜﻠﺔ
ﻣﺪة
اﻟﻌﻤﻞ
ﯾﺴﺮح
/
ﯾﻔﺼﻞ
ﻣﻮظﻔﯿﻦ
)
اﻟﺮﻓﺎه
)
اﻻﺟﺘﻤﺎﻋﻲ
• The market report demonstrates that some unprofitable companies will soon exit the
market.
• Many managers agreed to promote rationalization in order to increase the profitability
of their companies.
• The downsizing dimension focuses on the short-term profits a company aims to achieve.
• The majority of the company board members decided to prevent managers from sacking
employees within three months of their commencing the work.
• The management has put forward a plan to restructure the company at the earliest
opportunity.
• The Ministry of Labor began promoting short-term employment initiatives to reduce the
high unemployment rates.
Exercise 6: Translate the following passage into Arabic:
COSTS OF DOWNSIZING
Downsizing is often very costly to a corporation. More than 50 percent of companies that
downsize fail to reach their financial objectives. More than one million people are perma-
nently laid off each year. For example, Boeing eliminated 60,000 jobs between 1989 and
1997. The company’s orders for jets increased from two hundred to nine hundred within two
years. The company has had a difficult time hiring qualified people. (Alkhafaji, 2001, p. 153)
37. 24 Translating economic texts
Text 2
The centrality of labor flexibility, wage costs, and unemployment in debates over Euro-
pean economic development puts employment systems at the heart of any putative Euro-
peanization of national economies. An employment system refers to the interaction of
various formative institutions making up the national and sectoral profile of the labor
force. These institutions comprise the training and educational processes, the legal and
industrial relations regulations, the organizational structure and practices of industry,
and the politics of the workplace. However, we are not using the term employment
system in the sense of a formal model of the use and reproduction of labor (Cressey &
Jones, 1995).
Vocabulary
ST TT ST TT
أھﻤﯿﺔ
/
ﻣﺮﻛﺰﯾﺔ
أﺟﺮ
ﻣﺮوﻧﺔ
ﺳﻮق
اﻟﻌﻤﻞ
ﺗﻜﺎﻟﯿﻒ
centrality labor flexibility
costs
wage
debates ﻧﻘﺎﺷﺎت ﺗﻨﻤﯿﺔ
اﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
economic development
ﯾﻀﻊ
ﺿﻤﻦ
أوﻟﻮﯾﺎت أورﺑﺔ
/
إﺿﻔﺎء
طﺎﺑﻊ
أوروﺑﻲ
ﻣﺆﺳﺴﺎت
ﻧﺎﺷﺌﺔ
puts at heart Europeanization
اﻗﺘﺼﺎدات
وطﻨﯿﺔ
national economies formative institutions
ﺳﻤﺎت
ﻗﻄﺎﻋﯿﺔ اﻟﻘﻮة
اﻟﻌﺎﻣﻠﺔ
sectoral profile labor force
ﺗﺘﻜﻮن
ﻣﻦ
/
ﺗﻀﻢ
أﻧﻈﻤﺔ
/
ﻟﻮاﺋﺢ
ﻗﺎﻧﻮﻧﯿﺔ
وﺻﻨﺎﻋﯿﺔ
comprise legal and industrial
ھﯿﻜﻞ
ﺗﻨﻈﯿﻤﻲ
regulations organizational structure
Exercise 1: Translate the first two sentences from the above passage.
Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
• Responding to changes in market conditions is what defines labor flexibility in the
labor market.
• Different governments can play different roles to promote the economic development of
their countries.
• Many economists support the globalization of national economies.
• Some companies find it difficult to work internationally because of the conflicting eco-
nomic regulations.
• Companies must devise stable organizational structures to achieve success in competi-
tive global business environments.
• The new regulations pose serious challenges to emerging markets.
• Most manufacturing companies cannot offer high-wage jobs due to the financial losses
they incurred during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The new organizational structure must clearly highlight the roles and responsibilities as
well as the information flow in order to enable all employees to carry out their tasks
more efficiently.
• The Arab Gulf countries discussed a joint plan to enhance economic development in
order to improve the living conditions in poor Muslim countries.
38. Translating economic texts 25
Exercise 3: Identify and correct the errors in the Arabic translations:
• People in the first group did not actively contribute to national economies.
•
ﺳﺎھﻢ
ﺑﻌﺾ
أﻋﻀﺎء
اﻟﻤﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ
اﻷوﻟﻰ
ﺑﻨﺠﺎح
ﻓﻲ
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدات
اﻟﻮطﻨﯿﺔ
.
• The new study reviews the positive economic developments associated with economic
growth.
•
ﯾﺴﺘﻌﺮض
ﻣﻠﺨﺺ
اﻟﺪراﺳﺔ
اﻟﺘﻄﻮرات
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
اﻟﻤﺮﺗﺒﻄﺔ
ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻮﻟﻤﺔ
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدﯾﺔ
.
• Artificial wage increases enforced by government policies were severely criticized.
•
اﻧﺘﻘﺪت
اﻟﻠﺠﻨﺔ
اﻟﺰﯾﺎدات
اﻟﻤﻘﺘﺮﺣﺔ
ﻓﻲ
ﺧﻄﻂ
اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﺔ
.
Exercise 4: Translate the following words and phrases into Arabic.
ST TT
1
2
employment agency
industrialized economies
………………………………………..
………………………………………..
3
4
job insecurity
fire
………………………………………..
………………………………………..
5
6
7
8
9
10
employers
probationary period
temporary jobs
public sector
competitiveness
local companies
………………………………………..
………………………………………..
………………………………………..
………………………………………..
………………………………………..
………………………………………..
Exercise 5: Translate the following sentences into Arabic:
• Applicants can email their job applications to the employment agency no later than
April 30, 2021.
) need to consider the effect of their mac-
اﻻﻗﺘﺼﺎدات
اﻟﺼﻨﺎﻋﯿﺔ
(
Industrialized economies
•
roeconomic policies on regional and international economic development.
• Companies must clearly explain the conditions of the probationary period before sign-
ing employment contracts.
• Competition among local companies drives constant development of their products tar-
geting different customers.
• Statistics indicate that a high proportion of workers occupy temporary private-sector
jobs.
• The economic and job insecurity forced many employees to search for better opportuni-
ties abroad.
• Disabled people are at higher risk of job insecurity.
Exercise 6: Translate the following passage into Arabic:
EFFECTS OF JOB FLEXIBILITY ON JOB INSECURITY
Because employees are contracted on a permanent basis after the probation period, they do
not experience job insecurity. This is seen as a positive motivational effect, not only by the
employees but also by the organization that wants to deliver a sustained high level of service
to customers (Vuuren & Klandermans, 1999).
