The Effect of Saudi Learners' Proficiency of French as a Foreign Language on Their Acquisition of Translation Skills

Abstract

Today’s globalization imposes, more than ever, exchanges between peoples and states. Consequently, the need for openness to others, which translates into listening and communicating, justifies, in many cases, the learning of languages spoken by foreign peoples. As a result, several languages with different statuses can coexist in the same country. Aligning with this general trend of globalization, Saudi Arabia, has gradually integrated the learning of French into its educational and university system, even opening departments dedicated to the translation of this language. This study questions the correlation between the status conferred to French and the learning of translation. In other words, this study attempts to highlight the influence (positive or negative) of the status of French on the progress of translation teaching and learning, showing how the status of this language impacts the learning of translation.