rabbas (X) Apr 14, 2012:

Thank you, yes context (including target audience) is essential when interpreting/translating. One sentence doesn't always clarify it.

Arabic & More (asker) Apr 13, 2012:

Thank you for your opinion, Rabbas. In this particular case, a literal translation works better for the target audience. I am able to say this because I know who my target audience is. Remember that "English speakers" are comprised of many different groups. One group could be Egyptians who were born overseas and speak English as a primary language. They are culturally Egyptian and would thus know what mesh cheese is...the same as how people with roots in Jordan are almost certainly familiar with the meaning of "jameed." But even if the target audience is not people with Egyptian roots, there are still many cases in which it would be more desireable to use the literal translation. What you see here is one sentence. What if the speaker now goes on to speak in detail about this cheese and the techniques his mother used to make it? In this case, he is literally speaking about the cheese, and that must be reflected in the translation.

rabbas (X) Apr 12, 2012:

If it is symbolic then it is meant figuratively as English speakers will not know that it is symbolic unless it is translated as such.

Arabic & More (asker) Apr 9, 2012:

It is meant literally but is symbolic of the simple pleasures found in Egypt.

rabbas (X) Apr 9, 2012:

Is it meant literally or figuratively here?