The Lexical Influence of English as a Globally Dominant Language on Dari/Persian in the Translation of Academic Texts: A Case Study of Students at Balkh University

چکیده

This study explores the influence of English lexical features (e.g., words, terms, and phrases) on Dari/Persian translations within the broader context of power dynamics between dominant and non-dominant languages. While research has frequently been conducted on languages like Arabic and Chinese, relatively little attention has been paid to the Dari/Persian language, which is mostly spoken in Afghanistan. This study examines how English, as the most dominant language, impacts Dari/Persian, considered a non-dominant linguistic system, primarily through lexical borrowing and translation practices in academic texts. Sixty students from the English department at Balkh University participated in translating three English texts into Dari/Persian. The analysis, grounded in code-switching and code-mixing theories, revealed the frequent use of English lexical elements, whereas equivalents were available in the Dari/Persian language. These lexical choices suggest a preference for English, influenced by its perceived prestige, its global communicative value, and its pervasive presence in media and education. The findings highlight the increasing lexical influence of English within academic discourse in Dari/Persian, shedding light on how dominant languages can shape the vocabulary, structure, and stylistic conventions or norms of non-dominant languages.