Abstract. This article explores Enani's translation of apothegms, with a special reference to his translation of Hamlet. A general background on apothegms, their relations to proverbs, idioms and aphorisms, their discourse functions, their omnipresence in the Arabic tradition and their trans-linguistic affinities is given. Illustrative examples from Enani's translation – published and in draft form - of Shakespeare's play are discussed. The study shows that apothegm as a culture- based concept can be translated effectively reflecting the original message as Enani did— using cultural equivalence. The translation of apothegms is not problematic if there is a universal meaning to it. However, in many cases translator has to use adaptation in order to make the meaning close to the target cultural without affecting the source meaning. Enani manages to create this balance in all of his translation as he has the hugest mental lexicon and structure patterns I have ever heard. He masters English language the same as he masters Arabic and this the most crucial skill translator from and into Arabic must have.

Keywords: apothegm – Enani– translating apothegms – Shakespeare –cultural equivalence