Translation of Arabic Islamic terminology into Tamil: challenges and possible solutions

Abstract

This study sheds light on challenges faced by the Tamil translators of Arabic-Islamic terminology. It is based on the question: What may such challenges be and what solutions may be suggested in Tamil translation? The researcher hypothesizes that many of the challenges identified in this study with regard to translating Arabic-Islamic terminology might be common between Arabic and many other languages. The study mostly depends on descriptive method and secondary data such as books, research articles, lectures and online information. Differences among languages in word-formation processes, lack of equivalents and transliteration issues were the important findings of the study. While summarizing the ways the Arabic-Islamic terminology are handled by the translators of other languages, the study recommends for the project of a comprehensive dictionary for Arabic-Islamic terminology in Tamil as a tangible solution to this problem.