Challenges Faced by English-Kurdish Interpreters and Translators in Iraqi Kurdistan

Abstract

The function of English-Kurdish interpreters and translators is vital in the complex terrain of Iraqi Kurdistan, but it is fraught with numerous difficulties in the political, cultural, and linguistic spheres. This study explores these issues by utilizing the perspectives of ten qualified translators, shedding light on the complex web of roadblocks that arise during the translation process. The participants identified a range of challenges, from grammatical and syntactic differences between languages to the subtleties involved in translating proverbs, idioms, and historical materials. These linguistic attempts were compared to solving puzzles, which is a fitting analogy given the importance of having a deep mastery of both source and target languages. A comparative examination of the existing literature demonstrates how translation issues are universal, spanning linguistic and geographic boundaries. The results highlight the critical importance of language aptitude; by bolstering linguistic proficiency and fostering deeper cultural understanding, stakeholders can facilitate more accurate and meaningful cross-cultural communication, fostering a climate of enhanced intercultural understanding and collaboration in the region and beyond.