Investigating Osloob al- Hakeem (Equivocation) with Reference to Arabic -English Translation

Abstract Osloob al-Hakeem which means Arabic equivocation, or in English Equivocation, is an Arabic term referring to a kind of eloquent style of speech or writing. It is a frequently used style in the literature of Arabic whereas in English we have similar terms namely , equivocation and double speak. It has many rhetorical goals . The study attempts to identify this style, its types and objectives, with reference to the possibility of translating it into English. Further, it aims at finding the difference between this style and its equivalent in English. The study has showed that Arabic equivocation has eight objectives and has a special meaning that depends on changing the course of the dialogue to what suits the addressee and the speaker. It is found that Arabic equivocation differs from English equivocation in that the usage of Arabic equivocation is usually for positive reasons while English equivocation is usually for negative reasons. It is also found that couplet procedure in translation is the most appropriate in translating this style. Keywords: Arabic equivocation, double speak ,the round meaning, foreignizing translation, couplet procedure