Translating African Literature in Egypt: Challenges and Strategies

Translating African literature into global languages faces unique challenges in Egypt, a country with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews with translation professionals and quantitative surveys of readership preferences was employed. The study also utilised content analysis of translated texts. Translators reported significant difficulties in maintaining the cultural authenticity of African narratives, particularly when dealing with idiomatic expressions and metaphorical language that do not directly translate into Egyptian Arabic or other local languages. The mixed methods approach revealed a nuanced understanding of both challenges and strategies employed by translators to bridge linguistic gaps while preserving literary integrity. Developing culturally sensitive translation tools, training programmes for translators, and fostering collaboration between African authors and local publishers are recommended to improve the quality of translated literature in Egypt.