TRANSLATION CHALLENGES OF MALAY CULTURAL WORDS INTO ENGLISH

Translation involves more than transferring words from one language to another; it also requires the transmission of cultural meanings embedded within linguistic expressions. Malay contains numerous cultural words that reflect local customs, traditions, social relationships, religious beliefs, and ways of life. Many of these words do not have direct equivalents in English, creating challenges for translators. This study investigates the translation challenges associated with Malay cultural words when translated into English. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, selected Malay cultural terms are analyzed to identify linguistic and cultural difficulties encountered during translation.