The Effect of Pragmatic Competence on Saudi Translators’ Performance

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of pragmatic competence on the performance of Saudi translators. The researchers used a quantitative method to conduct this study. This study targeted 40 Saudi translators to investigate the effect of pragmatic competence on their performance. The participants of this study were 20 teachers of translation and 20 undergraduate students studying translation courses. The teachers were from various universities in Saudi Arabia, while the students were in the Department of English, College of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University. For data collection procedures, a survey questionnaire was used to collect data from participants- translation teachers, and students studying translation in Saudi Arabia. The participants’ responses provided insights into how pragmatic competence impacts translation quality and success from both a theoretical and practical perspective. The results revealed the perceived role of various pragmatic aspects in producing effective translations. Based on the findings, it is recommended that translators prioritize attention to pragmatic considerations, such as politeness strategies, speech acts, cooperative principle, etc., to enhance the effectiveness of their translations.