Abstract: Given the conservative nature of Arab societies, Vladimir Nabokov’s English novel Lolita (1955)
poses considerable challenges to Arab translators because of its pornographic nature and controversial
themes: pedophilia, incest, and young teenage sex. This study mainly examines the translation of Lolita by
Mola with occasional references to Jubaili’s translation of the novel. It also investigates the translation
strategies employed by the two translators. The findings showed that Jubaili followed the literal approach of
translation with no significant deviation from the novel’s themes and characterization. On the other hand,
Mola dysphemized the expressions and eroticized the events, which were more euphemistic in the original.
Mola’s utilization of some translation strategies such as omission, addition, and substitution affected the
representation of the main characters, namely, Humbert (stepfather) and Lolita (stepdaughter), by shifting
their roles as victim and victimizer, making Humbert’s actions less culpable, and removing any traces of
Lolita’s innocence. In so doing, Mola reinforces sexual norms for young American women and diminishes
the pedophile/incest angle. This study is significant, particularly within the context of translators’ training
and for those interested in literary translation.
Keywords: Lolita, Arabic, Taboo translation, translation strategies, translated literature