Exploring the Challenges of AI Translation of Modal Verbs in English Legal Texts into Arabic: A Focus on “Shall”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25130/jfa.conf.10.5.13Keywords:
Legal Translation, Modal Verbs, English–Arabic Translation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Translation, Obligation, Skoop‘s TheoryAbstract
This research investigates the complexities involved in translating the English legal modal verb shall into Arabic, with a particular focus on the challenges posed by both human and AI-based translation practices. The study demonstrates that shall, a modal verb central to legal discourse, carries dual functions of futurity and obligation, yet its legal force is often lost in translation. Human translators typically render shall in ways that preserve its obligatory meaning, employing verbs such as يلتزم and يمنح to reflect legal necessity and enforceability. By contrast, AI translation systems frequently substitute forms like قد and يمكن, which denote possibility or permission rather than obligation. Such mistranslations risk undermining the intended legal effect of contractual and statutory provisions, leading to potential ambiguity and misinterpretation.
To address these challenges, the study applies Skopos theory, which emphasizes the communicative purpose of the target text. Within the framework of legal translation, this theory provides valuable guidance by prioritizing obligation-based renderings in Arabic, thereby ensuring that the translated text fulfills its legal function. The findings reinforce the principle that legal translation is not a purely linguistic exercise but a functional and pragmatic activity, where precision and clarity are paramount..
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