Students’ Difficulties in Understanding Metaphors in English Songs

Abstract

Understanding metaphors in general, and metaphorical songs in particular has been a delicate issue for Third Year Students. Because of the intense metaphorical meaning that must be transferred, in addition to the challenges of communicating cultural elements from one language to another on the other hand. The goal of this research is to look at the difficulties that Third Year students at Mohammad Seddik Ben Yahia University-Jijel with understanding metaphors from English into Arabic in songs. The research is based on the following assumptions: Students' problems with metaphors are generally linked to a lack of knowledge of culture differences, which leads to their cultural background being limited. It is also based on the premise that students' difficulties are often the consequence of haphazard translation methods. The data was gathered using two instruments: A questionnaire had been analyzed using the SPSS software and a test, both of which were administered to a sample that consists of fifty (50) third Year students. As the results of this study, students face difficulty in understanding metaphors in songs from English into Arabic owing to cultural and contextual variables. Therefore, they were unable to properly translate them since they do not understand them. Based on the results it showed that students have lack in vocabulary as well as a good understanding of translation methods and procedures. As a result, it is suggested that students expand their understanding of these techniques and methods, and that they pay particular attention to cultural and contextual factors while translating metaphors.