Analysis of Linguistic and Cultural Aspects in Translation of ‘Official Invitations for a Symposium on Socotra Island’

Abstract

This study investigated the translation errors found in Arabic invitations and their English counterparts, focusing on a sample of invitations that the Center for Studies and Environmental Sciences, University of Aden issues issued in 2002 for participating in First International Symposium on Socotra Island. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and content analysis design, the study identified a range of translation issues, particularly in lexical, semantic, and grammatical domains. These errors, attributed to a lack of familiarity with cultural norms in English-speaking contexts, underscore the importance of both linguistic competence and cultural awareness for translating formal documents. To address these challenges, the study recommends a specialized translation team of professionals trained in both language and intercultural communication. Such a team would help ensure that official documents, including conference invitations, reflect the institution’s academic standards and foster effective international collaboration