Students’ Difficulties in Translating Aesthetic Values in Translating Aesthetic Values

Abstract

The current study aims at investigating how third-year students of English at university of Mohammed Seddik Ben Yahya perceive the translation of aesthetic values in literary texts as a practical endeavour. It attempts to find out the strategies they apply when translating a piece of literary work, and provides them with some solutions. The data was collected by means of a questionnaire and three-assigned translation tests of a literary text. The results obtained show that the students' level of translation is roughly acceptable. Yet, it is clearly established that they are not interested in such kind of translation, because they encounter considerable difficulties in conveying the meaning of metaphor and simile of the original text. The results show that the students generally do not feel satisfied with their final translation. This could be explained by failure to reproduce the original emotional charge.