Cambodian EFL Undergraduate Students’ Challenges in Translating English Words: How to Deal with and Suggestions

Abstract

Abstract

Learning a new language requires effort and attention. No matter how most-studied language in the world, learners are still encounter some difficulties dealing with any skills or aspects of the language. Using the skills to produce the outcome of language might not be as easy as it is thought including translating meaning from one language to another. The challenges of EFL learners in translating words, phrases and sentences pose the questions to discover in the current study. This research aims to investigate the challenges encountered by Cambodian EFL learners in translating and how they deal with those struggles with some useful suggestions. The qualitative method was employed followed by the narrative technique to analyze the data from the interviews. The results found that they have problems with word choice, grammar, and misunderstanding of idioms, and slang words. In addition, they all share some strategies such as reading more related sources to improve vocabulary size and it will foster writing for translation. Moreover, the participants would suggest using dictionaries that provide the most appropriate definition with explanations of words used in contexts and using online websites for further aid. As the study results reveal, most of the participants encountered vocabulary in contexts and grammar as the major problems. The research was conducted using the qualitative with limited time allowed. The future study should consider mixed-method study for gathering both statistical data and the interview in order to enrich the discussion of the study.