Theoretical and Practical Dimensions of Equivalence in the Arabic Translation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

This study investigates the critical role of the concept of equivalence in translation, especially in legal contexts. It addresses the theoretical and practical implications of translation equivalence, highlighting the lack of consensus among scholars regarding its definition. The research examines the types of equivalence prevalent in legal translation, explicitly using the Arabic version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights UDHR, adopted by the United Nations in 1948. Legal translation involves translating legal texts, such as the UDHR, from one language, such as French, to another, such as Arabic. This process is intricate due to the complex nature of legal texts, multifaceted legal concepts, and the distinct meanings embedded in legal language. The study highlights that equivalence, a heavily debated term in translation studies, is interpreted differently across theoretical perspectives, including linguistic, functional, and interpretive approaches. In the context of legal translation, functional equivalence is the most relevant type, particularly in the Arabic translation of the UDHR, as it aligns well with legal translation components such as text nature, legal discourse, and system compatibility (Sarcevic, 1997). The notion of equivalence takes several forms; however, linguistic and grammatical equivalence is less attainable due to significant language differences. For this reason, the study primarily focuses on functional equivalence from a Sarcevic perspective, facilitating measurement through criteria such as equivalent juridical force, contextual adaptation to target legal norms, terminological fidelity, and pragmatic effect, without assessing overall translation correctness, as the UN recognizes this version. It employs qualitative methods, discourse analysis, and content analysis to explore equivalence in the UDHR's Arabic translation, aiming to clarify the relationship between the source and target texts by applying these operational criteria to judge realization.